Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2014

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2014

November 4, 2014

Nominee Asa Hutchinson Mike Ross Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 470,429 352,115 Percentage 55.44% 41.49%

County results

Governor before election Mike Beebe Democratic Elected Governor Asa Hutchinson Republican

The 2014 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor of Arkansas, concurrently with the election to Arkansas's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Mike Beebe was not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits established by the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas is one of eight states that limits its Governors to two terms for life.^[1] The Democrats nominated former U.S. Representative Mike Ross and the Republicans nominated former DEA Administrator, former U.S. Representative and 2006 nominee Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson defeated Ross and two minor party candidates in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Lynette "Doc" Bryant, activist^[2]
• Mike Ross, former U.S. Representative^[3]

Withdrew

• Bill Halter, former Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 (endorsed Ross)^[4]
• Dustin McDaniel, Arkansas Attorney General^[5]

Declined

• Shane Broadway, interim director of the Department of Higher Education and former State Senator^[6][7]
• John Burkhalter, former State Highway Commissioner (running for Lieutenant Governor)^[8]
• Conner Eldridge, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas^[9]
• G. David Gearhart, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas^[10]
• Pat Hays, former Mayor of North Little Rock (running for AR-02)^[11]
• Keith Ingram, State Senator (endorsed Ross)^[12]
• Bruce Maloch, State Senator^[6][13]
• Michael Malone, President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council^[14][15]
• Vic Snyder, former U.S. Representative^[6]
• Paul Suskie, former Chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission and candidate for Attorney General of Arkansas in 2006^[9]
• Chris Thomason, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope and former State Representative^[6][16]
• Robert F. Thompson, State Senator (endorsed Ross)^[6][17]
• Darrin Williams, State Representative, former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives^[6]

Endorsements

Mike Ross

National Political Figures Bill Clinton, former President of the United States[18] Arkansas Political Figures Mike Beebe, incumbent Governor of Arkansas[19] John Baine, State Representative[20] Paul Bookout, former State Senator[20] Mary Broadway, State Representative[20] Harry Brown, Mayor of Stephens[20] David Burnett, State Senator[20] John Burkhalter, former State Highway Commissioner and nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 2014[20] JoAnne Bush, Republican Mayor of Lake Village[20] Eddie Cheatham, State Senator[20] Wesley Clark, retired U.S. General and candidate for President in 2004[20] Curtis Coleman, businessman and former Republican candidate for Governor in 2014[20] Deborah Ferguson, State Representative[20] David Fielding, State Representative[20] Jimmie Lou Fisher, former Arkansas State Treasurer, nominee for Governor in 2002 and former President of the Arkansas Democratic Women's Club[20] John Hall, County Judge of Crawford County[20] Bill Halter, former Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010[21] Fonda Hawthorne, State Representative[20] Sherman Hiatt, Mayor of Charleston[20] Keith Ingram, State Senator[20] David Johnson, State Senator[20] Sheila Lampkin, State Representative[20] Sue Madison, former State Senator[20] Allen Maxwell, Mayor of Monticello[20] Stewart Nelson, Mayor of Morrilton[20] Steve Northcutt, Mayor of Malvern[20] Terry Oliver, Mayor of Prescott[20] Harold Perrin, Mayor of Jonesboro[20] Johnnie Roebuck, former Majority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives[20] Bob Stacy, Mayor of Wynne[20] Brent Talley, State Representative[20] Robert F. Thompson, State Senator[20] Tab Townsell, Mayor of Conway[20] Kathy Webb, former State Representative[20] Dane Weindorf, Mayor of Hamburg[20] Hank Wilkins, State Representative[20] James Lee Witt, former FEMA Director and former County Judge of Yell County[20] David Wyatt, State Senator[20] Business Leaders Abraham Carpenter, Jr., owner and operator of Carpenter's Produce[20] Jim Gaston, owner of Gaston's White River Resort, former Arkansas Business Executive of the Year and emeritus member of the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Commission[20] Organizations Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters Association[20] Arkansas Timber Producers Association[20] Central South Carpenters Regional Council[20] Laborers International Union of North America[20] Laborers Local 107[20] Laborers Local 1282[20] Southern States Millwright Regional Council[20] Southwest Laborers District Council[20]

Polling

Results

Democratic primary results^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Ross	129,437	84.41
	Democratic	Lynette "Doc" Bryant	23,906	15.59
Total votes			153,343	100

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Curtis Coleman, founder of a food safety company and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010^[1]
• Asa Hutchinson, former Administrator of the DEA, former U.S. Representative and nominee for Governor in 2006^[23]

Withdrew

• Debra Hobbs, State Representative (running for Lieutenant Governor)^[24]

Declined

• Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives^[25][26]
• Tom Cotton, U.S. Representative (running for the U.S. Senate)^[27]
• Rick Crawford, U.S. Representative^[28]
• Mark Darr, former Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas^[29]
• G. David Gearhart, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas^[10]
• Tim Griffin, U.S. Representative^[30]
• Missy Irvin, State Senator^[31]
• Jim Keet, former State Senator and nominee for Governor in 2010^[8][32]
• Johnny Key, State Senator^[33]
• Mark Martin, Secretary of State of Arkansas (running for re-election)^[1]
• Sheffield Nelson, businessman and nominee for Governor in 1990 and 1994^[34]
• Steve Womack, U.S. Representative^[35]

Endorsements

Curtis Coleman

National Politicians Ron Paul, former U.S. Representative (R-TX) and candidate for President in 2008 and 2012[36][37] Elected Legislators Randy Alexander, State Representative[38] Joe Farrer, State Representative[39] John Payton, State Representative[40] Richard Womack, State Representative[41] John Cooper, State Senator John "Hutch" Hutchison, State Representative Local Elected Leaders Larry E. Burgess, Miller County Judge[42] Tim Stockdale, Garland County Treasurer[43] Wayne Smith, Mayor of Texarkana[44] Jayme Nicholson, Baxter County Assessor[45] Organizations Miller County Patriots[46] Organization Leaders Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr., founder of Total Outreach for Christ Ministries, Inc. and Word of Outreach Christian Center[47] Timothy Stephenson, founder of the EAST Initiative[48]

Asa Hutchinson

Federal Legislators Rick Crawford, U.S. Representative Tim Griffin, U.S. Representative State Legislators Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives[49] Michael Lamoureux, President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate[49] Jonathan Dismang, Majority Whip of the Arkansas Senate[49] Cecile Bledsoe, State Senator[49] Ron Caldwell, State Senator[49] Alan Clark, State Senator from Garland County[50] Bart Hester, State Senator[49] Nate Bell, State Representative[49] John Burris, State Representative[49] Andy Davis, State Representative[49] Jon Eubanks, State Representative[49] Bill Gossage, State Representative[49] Justin Harris, State Representative[49] Micah Neal, State Representative[49] Matthew Shepherd, State Representative[49] Local Elected Officials Jerry Taylor, Democratic former State Senator, State Representative, and Mayor of Pine Bluff[51]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Curtis Coleman	Asa Hutchinson	Undecided
Talk Business/Hendrix College	April 29, 2014	1,516	± 2.5%	20%	70%	10%
Public Policy Polling	April 25–27, 2014	342	± 5.3%	23%	62%	15%

Results

Republican primary results^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Asa Hutchinson	130,752	72.95
	Republican	Curtis Coleman	48,473	27.05
Total votes			179,225	100

Third parties

Candidates

Declared

• Josh Drake (Green), attorney and nominee for Arkansas's 4th congressional district in 2008, 2010 and 2012^[52]
• Frank Gilbert (Libertarian), DeKalb Township Constable, former Mayor of Tull and nominee for the State Senate in 2012^[53]

Declined

• Sheffield Nelson (Independent), businessman and Republican nominee for Governor in 1990 and 1994^[34]

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mike Ross (D)	Asa Hutchinson (R)	Other	Undecided
Opinion Research Associates	October 30–November 1, 2014	400	± 5%	43%	39%	5%<[54]	14%
Public Policy Polling	October 30–November 1, 2014	1,092	± 3%	41%	51%	4%[55]	4%
				44%	53%	—	3%
Rasmussen Reports	October 27–29, 2014	967	± 3%	43%	50%	3%	4%
Issues & Answers Network	October 21–27, 2014	568	± 4.1%	39%	50%	—	11%
Opinion Research Associates	October 25–26, 2014	401	± 5%	44%	42%	2%[56]	11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	1,567	± 4%	38%	47%	0%	15%
NBC News/Marist	October 19–23, 2014	621	± 3.9%	44%	47%	4%[57]	5%
		971	± 3.1%	44%	43%	5%[58]	8%
Hendrix Poll	October 15–16, 2014	2,075	± 2.2%	41%	49%	4.5%	5.5%
Rasmussen Reports	October 13–15, 2014	940	± 3%	47%	49%	1%	3%
Fox News	October 4–7, 2014	707	± 3.5%	37%	46%	5%[59]	12%
Opinion Research Associates	October 1–5, 2014	400	± 5%	45%	41%	3%	11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20–October 1, 2014	1,991	± 2%	38%	49%	1%	12%
Rasmussen Reports	September 24–25, 2014	750	± 4%	42%	46%	4%	8%
Suffolk	September 20–23, 2014	500	± 4.4%	41.4%	42.6%	5%[60]	11%
Public Policy Polling	September 18–21, 2014	1,453	± 2.6%	38%	44%	5%[61]	13%
				40%	46%	—	14%
Gravis Marketing	September 8–11, 2014	902	± 4%	42%	46%	2%[62]	10%
Answers Unlimited	September 7–9, 2014	600	± 3.5%	44%	44%	4%[55]	8%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18–September 2, 2014	1,572	± 3%	38%	45%	1%	15%
NBC News/Marist	September 2–4, 2014	639 LV	± 3.9%	39%	48%	6%[63]	7%
		1,068 RV	± 3%	39%	46%	7%[64]	8%
Rasmussen Reports	August 25–26, 2014	750	± 4%	46%	44%	3%	7%
Opinion Research Associates	August 6–14, 2014	414	± 4.9%	44%	44%	3%[65]	9%
Public Policy Polling	August 1–3, 2014	1,066	± 3%	38%	43%	7%[66]	12%
				40%	46%	—	14%
Talk Business/Hendrix College	July 22–25, 2014	1,780	± 2.3%	41%	46%	5.5%[67]	7.5%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	1,616	± 3.5%	45%	48%	2%	4%
Gravis Marketing	July 7–8, 2014	987	± 3%	46%	49%	5%[62]	—
Public Opinion Strategies	May 27–29, 2014	500	± 4.39%	42%	48%	—	10%
Rasmussen Reports	May 27–28, 2014	750	± 4%	41%	48%	4%	6%
NBC News/Marist	April 30–May 4, 2014	876	± 3.3%	42%	49%	2%	7%
Public Policy Polling	April 25–27, 2014	840	± 3.4%	38%	46%	—	16%
New York Times/Kaiser Family	April 8–15, 2014	857	± ?	40%	41%	4%	16%
Opinion Research Associates	April 1–8, 2014	400	± 5%	45%	39%	—	17%
Talk Business/Hendrix College	April 3–4, 2014	1,068	± 3%	44%	43%	5%[61]	8%
Impact Management Group	February 10, 2014	1,202	± 2.83%	42%	42%	—	17%
Rasmussen Reports	February 4–5, 2014	500	± 4.5%	44%	41%	3%	12%
Public Policy Polling	December 13–15, 2013	1,004	± 3.1%	43%	44%	—	14%
Impact Management Group	October 24, 2013	911	± 3.2%	37%	40%	—	23%
University of Arkansas	October 10–17, 2013	800	± 3.5%	30%	32%	—	38%
Talk Business/Hendrix College	October 8, 2013	603	± 4.%	37%	41%	—	22%
Harper Polling	August 4–5, 2013	587	± 4.04%	38%	46%	—	16%
Talk Business/Hendrix College	February 20, 2013	675	± 3.8%	38%	43%	—	19%

Results

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2014^[70]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Asa Hutchinson	470,429	55.44
	Democratic	Mike Ross	352,115	41.49
	Libertarian	Frank Gilbert	16,319	1.92
	Green	Josh Drake	9,729	1.15
Majority			118,314	13.94%
Total votes			848,592	100
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. Demillo, Andrew (December 5, 2011). "Coleman mulling 2014 bid for Ark. governor". RealClearPolitics. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
2. "Election filings include Democratic gubernatorial candidate". Ark Times. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
3. "Mike Ross for governor: Rumours mount". Ark Times. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
4. "Bill Halter Withdraws from Governor's Race". 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
5. "Attorney General Dustin McDaniel dropping out of 2014 governor race". Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
6. Lyon, John (January 27, 2013). "McDaniel's Departure Leaves Arkansas Governor's Race Wide Open". The Times Record. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
7. "Twitter / TolbertReport: By the way Shane Broadway tells". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
8. "Sources: John Burkhalter to Run for Lt. Governor". Fox16.com. June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
9. Brantley, Max (January 30, 2013). "McDaniel's farewell". Arkansas Times. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
10. Henry, Larry (December 27, 2012). "UA Chancellor Gearhart: I'm Not Running For Governor". KFSM-TV. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
11. "Mark Pryor attracts opponents for the 2014 Senate race | OUR VOICES: ARKANSAS". Our-voices-arkansas.com. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
12. "Arkansas Governor April Rundown". Natural State Report. April 4, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
13. "Twitter / bmaloch: RT @MikeRossUpdates: Thanks". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
14. "Mike Malone, Executive Director". Retrieved February 5, 2013.
15. "New Names Surface in Governor's Race". Retrieved February 5, 2013.
16. Miller, Joshua (March 6, 2013). "Farm Team: Arkansas Has Deep Bench but Few Opportunities". Roll Call. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
17. Saylor, Ryan (February 13, 2013). "Paragould attorney mulls run for Attorney General". The City Wire. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
18. "Cook: Bill Clinton To Headline Mike Ross Fundraiser". Talk Business Arkansas. April 6, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
19. "Gov. Beebe endorses Mike Ross for Governor". The City Wire. Fort Smith, Arkansas. August 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
20. "Complete List of Endorsements". Mike Ross. Archived from the original on 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
21. Brantley, Max (July 29, 2013). "Bill Halter withdraws from Arkansas governor's race". Arkansas Times. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
22. "2014 Arkansas Preferential Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Election May 20, 2014". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
23. "Asa Hutchinson will run for Governor in 2014". Retrieved January 25, 2013.
24. Moritz, Rob (February 12, 2014). "Republican candidate switches to lieutenant governor's race". Arkansas News. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
25. Brantley, Max (January 10, 2013). "House Speaker Davy Carter leaving bank job UPDATE". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
26. Brantley, Max (May 17, 2013). "Davy Carter won't make race for governor". Arkansas Times. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
27. Glueck, Katie (August 1, 2013). "Arkansas's Tom Cotton to run for U.S. Senate". Politico. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
28. Daniels, Alex; Frago, Charlie (November 12, 2012). "Democrat Mark Pryor seen as likely GOP target in '14". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
29. "Darr: Will not run for governor in 2014". Arkansas News. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
30. Brock, Roby (December 2, 2012). "Griffin Wins Seat On Ways And Means Committee, Will Not Seek Higher Office In 2014". Talk Business. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
31. Brantley, Max (December 19, 2012). "Who will leads us in 2014?". Arkansas Times. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
32. "Governor's race shift". The City Wire. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
33. "GOP Sen. Johnny Key won't seek governor's post". Arkansas Online. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
34. Brock, Roby (February 12, 2013). "Sheffield Nelson Weighing Governor's Run As Republican Or Independent". Talk Business Arkansas. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
35. Tilley, Michael (14 March 2013). "Womack not running for governor, open to Senate bid". The City Wire. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
36. Moore, Martha T. (April 25, 2013). "Ron Paul makes Broun, Sanford first Congress Picks". USA Today. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
37. "Ron Paul Endorses Curtis Coleman for Governor of Arkansas | Peace . Gold . Liberty". Dailypaul.com. Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
38. "Curtis Coleman Receives Legislative Endorsement from Rep. Randy Alexander | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
39. "State Representative Farrer Stands With Curtis Coleman | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
40. "Representative John Payton Endorses Curtis Coleman". Coleman For Arkansas. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
41. Brantley, Max (July 18, 2013). "The Republican fringe". Arkansas Times. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
42. "Coleman Receives County Judge Endorsement | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-04-23. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
43. "Garland County Treasurer Endorses Coleman for Governor | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
44. "Texarkana Mayor Wayne Smith Announces Gubernatorial Endorsement | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
45. "Baxter County Assessor Endorses Coleman For Governor | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-04-23. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
46. "Miller County Patriots Endorse Coleman for Governor". Coleman For Arkansas. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
47. "Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr., Endorses Curtis Coleman For Governor | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
48. "Coleman Receives Major Education Endorsement | Coleman For Arkansas". Curtiscoleman.com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
49. "Asa for Governor – Home Page". Archived from the original on August 3, 2013.
50. "Senator Alan Clark Endorses Asa Hutchinson". Asa for Governor. Archived from the original on 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
51. "Longtime Democrat Senator, Pine Bluff Mayor, Endorses Asa Hutchinson for Governor". Asa for Governor. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
52. "Candidates who filed for office in Arkansas". sfgate.com. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
53. "Election 2014: Libertarian Frank Gilbert Announces Bid For Arkansas Governor". Southwest Times Record. October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
54. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%
55. Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%
56. Josh Drake (G) 1%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%
57. Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%, Other <1%
58. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%, Other <1%
59. Josh Drake (G) 1%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%, Other 1%
60. Josh Drake (G) 1.8%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3.2%
61. Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%
62. Frank Gilbert (L)
63. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%, Other <1%
64. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 4%, Other <1%
65. Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 1%
66. Josh Drake (G) 4%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%
67. Josh Drake (G) 2.5%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%
68. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 4.5%
69. Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 4%
70. "November 4, 2014 General election and nonpartisan runoff election Official results". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 23, 2014.

External links

• Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at FollowTheMoney.org

Official campaign websites

• Mike Ross (D) for Governor
• Asa Hutchinson (R) for Governor
• Frank Gilbert (L) for Governor
• Josh Drake (G) for Governor