U.S. CONGRESS
District 4 Democratic Primary Runoff
100% Precincts Reporting
Gene Jeffress 61%
Q. Byrum Hurst 39%
BENTON COUNTY
Justice of the Peace, District 15 GOP Primary
100% Precincts Reporting
Barry J. Moehring 76%
Will Hanna 24%
Constable, Township 1 GOP Primary
100% Precincts Reporting
Grant Hardin 65%
Gary L. McLennan 35%
Gene Jeffress won the Democratic Party nomination in the 4th Congressional District, defeating Q. Byrum Hurst 61 to 39 percent in Tuesday’s primary runoff.
In a surprise as the final votes were counted, Hurst conceded defeat, vowing to support Jeffress in the Nov. 6 general election against Republican Tom Cotton. Cotton advanced to the November general election after capturing more than 50 percent of the vote on May 22 in a three-person GOP primary election.
Hurst released a statement saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank my family, friends and neighbors for their tremendous support in this campaign. Now more than ever, it is clear that this district deserves a Democrat committed to building on the track record of Mike Ross, and I am committed to working with State Senator Gene Jeffress to ensure we can Arkansas forward.”
The 4th District race will continue to gain national attention through November. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. If a Republicans wins, the Democratic Party will lose a seat in Washington, D.C. Democrats hold only one of four congressional seats in Arkansas.
Cotton has a financial advantage in the general election. His campaign reported raising more than $1million and has a balance of more than $400,000, records show. Jeffress has a balance in the bank of about $5,000.
In Benton County, Republicans selected winners in two primary runoffs.
Barry Moehring defeated Will Hanna 65 to 35 percent for the Benton County Justice of the Peace District 15 post.
Grant Hardin won the Constable Township 1 seat with 65 percent of the vote over Gary L. McLennan.
Since a Democrat didn’t file in either Benton County race, Moehring and Hardin will not have an opponent from that party in November.
All primary results have to be approved by the Secretary of State.