2014 Arkansas gubernatorial election
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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. This was the last time the Arkansas governor's changed partisan control.
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November 4, 2014
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Hutchinson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ross: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Governor Mike Beebe was ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits established by the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas is one of 9 states that limits its governors to two terms for life.[1] Democrats nominated former U.S. representative Mike Ross and Republicans nominated former DEA Administrator, former U.S. representative and 2006 Arkansas gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson. This was the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in a state that Mitt Romney won in the 2012 presidential election.
Hutchinson won the general election by the largest margin recorded for a Republican in an open-seat gubernatorial race since Reconstruction, a record held until 2022. The race was called for Hutchinson roughly half an hour after the polls closed; his victory gave Republicans complete control of state government for the first time since 1874.
As of the 2022 gubernatorial election, this is the last time where the following counties voted Democratic: Ashley, Bradley, Clark, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Mississippi, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, and Woodruff.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Lynette "Doc" Bryant, activist[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 U.S. House)[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
Arkansas political figures
- John Baine, state representative[19]
- Mike Beebe, incumbent governor of Arkansas[20]
- Paul Bookout, former state senator[19]
- Mary Broadway, state representative[19]
- Harry Brown, Mayor of Stephens[19]
- John Burkhalter, former State Highway Commissioner and nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 2014[19]
- David Burnett, state senator[19]
- JoAnne Bush, Republican mayor of Lake Village[19]
- Eddie Cheatham, state senator[19]
- Wesley Clark, retired U.S. General and candidate for president in 2004[19]
- Curtis Coleman, businessman and former Republican candidate for governor in 2014[19]
- Deborah Ferguson, state representative[19]
- David Fielding, state representative[19]
- Jimmie Lou Fisher, former Arkansas State Treasurer, nominee for governor in 2002 and former president of the Arkansas Democratic Women's Club[19]
- John Hall, County Judge of Crawford County[19]
- Bill Halter, former lieutenant governor of Arkansas and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010[21]
- Fonda Hawthorne, state representative[19]
- Sherman Hiatt, mayor of Charleston[19]
- Keith Ingram, state senator[19]
- David Johnson, state senator[19]
- Sheila Lampkin, state representative[19]
- Sue Madison, former state senator[19]
- Allen Maxwell, mayor of Monticello[19]
- Stewart Nelson, mayor of Morrilton[19]
- Steve Northcutt, mayor of Malvern[19]
- Terry Oliver, mayor of Prescott[19]
- Harold Perrin, mayor of Jonesboro[19]
- Johnnie Roebuck, former Majority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives[19]
- Bob Stacy, mayor of Wynne[19]
- Brent Talley, state representative[19]
- Robert F. Thompson, state senator[19]
- Tab Townsell, mayor of Conway[19]
- Kathy Webb, former state representative[19]
- Dane Weindorf, mayor of Hamburg[19]
- Hank Wilkins, state representative[19]
- James Lee Witt, former FEMA Director and former County Judge of Yell County[19]
- David Wyatt, state senator[19]
Business leaders
- Abraham Carpenter Jr., owner and operator of Carpenter's Produce[19]
- 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[19]
Organizations
- Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters Association[19]
- Arkansas Timber Producers Association[19]
- Central South Carpenters Regional Council[19]
- Laborers International Union of North America[19]
- Laborers Local 107[19]
- Laborers Local 1282[19]
- Southern States Millwright Regional Council[19]
- Southwest Laborers District Council[19]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill Halter |
Mike Ross |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Research[22] | July 23–27, 2013 | 370 | ± 5% | 26% | 40% | 34% |
Results
Ross
- >90%
- 80–90%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Ross | 129,437 | 84.41 | |
| Democratic | Lynette "Doc" Bryant | 23,906 | 15.59 | |
| Total votes | 153,343 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Asa Hutchinson, former administrator of the DEA, former U.S. representative, nominee for U.S. Senate in 1986 and nominee for governor in 2006[24]
Eliminated in primary
- Curtis Coleman, founder of a food safety company and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010[1]
Withdrew
- Debra Hobbs, state representative (running for Lieutenant Governor)[25]
Declined
- Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives[26][27]
- Tom Cotton, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 4th congressional district (2013–2015) (running for the U.S. Senate)[28]
- Rick Crawford, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 1st congressional district (2011–present)[29]
- Mark Darr, former lieutenant governor of Arkansas[30]
- G. David Gearhart, chancellor of the University of Arkansas[10]
- Tim Griffin, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district (2011–2015) (running for Lieutenant Governor)[31]
- Missy Irvin, state senator[32]
- Jim Keet, former state senator and nominee for governor in 2010[8][33]
- Johnny Key, state senator[34]
- Mark Martin, Secretary of State of Arkansas (running for re-election)[1]
- Sheffield Nelson, businessman and nominee for governor in 1990 and 1994[35]
- Steve Womack, U.S. representative Arkansas's 3rd congressional district (2011–present)[36]
Endorsements
Curtis Coleman
National politicians
Elected legislators
- Randy Alexander, state representative[39]
- John Cooper, state senator
- Joe Farrer, state representative[40]
- John "Hutch" Hutchison, state representative
- John Payton, state representative[41]
- Richard Womack, state representative[42]
Local elected leaders
- Larry E. Burgess, Miller County Judge[43]
- Jayme Nicholson, Baxter County Assessor[44]
- Wayne Smith, Mayor of Texarkana[45]
- Tim Stockdale, Garland County Treasurer[46]
Organizations
- Miller County Patriots[47]
Organization leaders
- Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr., founder of Total Outreach for Christ Ministries, Inc. and Word of Outreach Christian Center[48]
- Timothy Stephenson, founder of the EAST Initiative[49]
Asa Hutchinson
Federal legislators
- Rick Crawford, U.S. representative
- Tim Griffin, U.S. representative
State legislators
- Nate Bell, state representative[50]
- Cecile Bledsoe, state senator[50]
- John Burris, state representative[50]
- Ron Caldwell, state senator[50]
- Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives[50]
- Alan Clark, state senator from Garland County[51]
- Andy Davis, state representative[50]
- Jonathan Dismang, Majority Whip of the Arkansas Senate[50]
- Jon Eubanks, state representative[50]
- Bill Gossage, state representative[50]
- Justin Harris, state representative[50]
- Bart Hester, state senator[50]
- Michael Lamoureux, President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas Senate[50]
- Micah Neal, state representative[50]
- Matthew Shepherd, state representative[50]
Local elected officials
- Jerry Taylor, Democratic former state senator, state representative, and mayor of Pine Bluff[52]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Curtis Coleman |
Asa Hutchinson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[53] | April 29, 2014 | 1,516 | ± 2.5% | 20% | 70% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling[54] | April 25–27, 2014 | 342 | ± 5.3% | 23% | 62% | 15% |
Results
Hutchinson
- 80–90%
- 70–80%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
Coleman
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Asa Hutchinson | 130,752 | 72.95 | |
| Republican | Curtis Coleman | 48,473 | 27.05 | |
| Total votes | 179,225 | 100.00 | ||
Third parties
Candidates
Declared
- Josh Drake (Green), attorney and nominee for Arkansas's 4th congressional district in 2008, 2010 and 2012[55]
- Frank Gilbert (Libertarian), DeKalb Township Constable, former mayor of Tull and nominee for the state senate in 2012[56]
Declined
- Sheffield Nelson (Independent), businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 1990 and 1994[35]
General election
Debates
- Complete video of debate, September 19, 2014 - C-SPAN
- Complete video of debate, October 7, 2014 - C-SPAN
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[57] | Lean R (flip) | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[58] | Likely R (flip) | November 3, 2014 |
| Inside Elections[59] | Lean R (flip) | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics[60] | Lean R (flip) | November 3, 2014 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mike Ross (D) |
Asa Hutchinson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion Research Associates[61] | October 30–November 1, 2014 | 400 | ± 5% | 43% | 39% | 5%[62] | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[63] | October 30–November 1, 2014 | 1,092 | ± 3% | 41% | 51% | 4%[64] | 4% |
| 44% | 53% | — | 3% | ||||
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | October 27–29, 2014 | 967 | ± 3% | 43% | 50% | 3% | 4% |
| Issues & Answers Network[66] | October 21–27, 2014 | 568 | ± 4.1% | 39% | 50% | — | 11% |
| Opinion Research Associates[67] | October 25–26, 2014 | 401 | ± 5% | 44% | 42% | 2%[68] | 11% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[69] | October 16–23, 2014 | 1,567 | ± 4% | 38% | 47% | 0% | 15% |
| NBC News/Marist[70] | October 19–23, 2014 | 621 | ± 3.9% | 44% | 47% | 4%[71] | 5% |
| 971 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 43% | 5%[72] | 8% | ||
| Hendrix Poll[73] | October 15–16, 2014 | 2,075 | ± 2.2% | 41% | 49% | 5% | 6% |
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | October 13–15, 2014 | 940 | ± 3% | 47% | 49% | 1% | 3% |
| Fox News[74] | October 4–7, 2014 | 707 | ± 3.5% | 37% | 46% | 5%[75] | 12% |
| Opinion Research Associates[76] | October 1–5, 2014 | 400 | ± 5% | 45% | 41% | 3% | 11% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[77] | September 20–October 1, 2014 | 1,991 | ± 2% | 38% | 49% | 1% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | September 24–25, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 42% | 46% | 4% | 8% |
| Suffolk[78] | September 20–23, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 41% | 43% | 5%[79] | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling[80] | September 18–21, 2014 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 38% | 44% | 5%[79] | 13% |
| 40% | 46% | — | 14% | ||||
| Gravis Marketing[81] | September 8–11, 2014 | 902 | ± 4% | 42% | 46% | 2%[82] | 10% |
| Answers Unlimited[83] | September 7–9, 2014 | 600 | ± 3.5% | 44% | 44% | 4%[64] | 8% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[84] | August 18–September 2, 2014 | 1,572 | ± 3% | 38% | 45% | 1% | 15% |
| NBC News/Marist[85] | September 2–4, 2014 | 639 LV | ± 3.9% | 39% | 48% | 6%[86] | 7% |
| 1,068 RV | ± 3% | 39% | 46% | 7%[87] | 8% | ||
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | August 25–26, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 46% | 44% | 3% | 7% |
| Opinion Research Associates[88] | August 6–14, 2014 | 414 | ± 4.9% | 44% | 44% | 3%[89] | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling[90] | August 1–3, 2014 | 1,066 | ± 3% | 38% | 43% | 7%[91] | 12% |
| 40% | 46% | — | 14% | ||||
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[92] | July 22–25, 2014 | 1,780 | ± 2.3% | 41% | 46% | 6%[93] | 7.5% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov[94] | July 5–24, 2014 | 1,616 | ± 3.5% | 45% | 48% | 2% | 4% |
| Gravis Marketing[95] | July 7–8, 2014 | 987 | ± 3% | 46% | 49% | 5%[82] | — |
| Public Opinion Strategies[96] | May 27–29, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.39% | 42% | 48% | — | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | May 27–28, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 41% | 48% | 4% | 6% |
| NBC News/Marist[97] | April 30–May 4, 2014 | 876 | ± 3.3% | 42% | 49% | 2% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling[54] | April 25–27, 2014 | 840 | ± 3.4% | 38% | 46% | — | 16% |
| New York Times/Kaiser Family[98] | April 8–15, 2014 | 857 | ± ? | 40% | 41% | 4% | 16% |
| Opinion Research Associates[99] | April 1–8, 2014 | 400 | ± 5% | 45% | 39% | — | 17% |
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[100] | April 3–4, 2014 | 1,068 | ± 3% | 44% | 43% | 5%[79] | 8% |
| Impact Management Group[101] | February 10, 2014 | 1,202 | ± 2.83% | 42% | 42% | — | 17% |
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | February 4–5, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 41% | 3% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling[102] | December 13–15, 2013 | 1,004 | ± 3.1% | 43% | 44% | — | 14% |
| Impact Management Group[103] | October 24, 2013 | 911 | ± 3.2% | 37% | 40% | — | 23% |
| University of Arkansas[104] | October 10–17, 2013 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 30% | 32% | — | 38% |
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[105] | October 8, 2013 | 603 | ± 4.% | 37% | 41% | — | 22% |
| Harper Polling[106] | August 4–5, 2013 | 587 | ± 4.04% | 38% | 46% | — | 16% |
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[107] | February 20, 2013 | 675 | ± 3.8% | 38% | 43% | — | 19% |
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Lynette Bryant (D) |
Asa Hutchinson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[100] | April 3–4, 2014 | 1,068 | ± 3% | 27.5% | 48% | 8%[108] | 17% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill Halter (D) |
Asa Hutchinson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[107] | February 20, 2013 | 675 | ± 3.8% | 31% | 47% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Dustin McDaniel (D) |
Asa Hutchinson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[109] | January 10–13, 2013 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 33% | 46% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mike Ross (D) |
Curtis Coleman (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[54] | April 25–27, 2014 | 840 | ± 3.4% | 43% | 33% | — | 24% |
| Talk Business/Hendrix College[100] | April 3–4, 2014 | 1,068 | ± 3% | 48% | 30% | 7%[110] | 15% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Asa Hutchinson | 470,429 | 55.44% | +21.81% | |
| Democratic | Mike Ross | 352,115 | 41.49% | −22.93% | |
| Libertarian | Frank Gilbert | 16,319 | 1.92% | N/A | |
| Green | Josh Drake | 9,729 | 1.15% | −0.71% | |
| Total votes | 848,592 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Arkansas (Largest city: Stuttgart)
- Baxter (Largest city: Mountain Home)
- Benton (Largest city: Rogers)
- Boone (Largest city: Harrison)
- Calhoun (Largest city: Hampton)
- Carroll (Largest city: Berryville)
- Clay (largest city: Piggott)
- Cleburne (Largest city: Heber Springs)
- Cleveland (Largest city: Rison)
- Columbia (Largest city: Magnolia)
- Conway (Largest city: Morrilton)
- Craighead (Largest city: Jonesboro)
- Crawford (Largest city: Van Buren)
- Cross (Largest city: Wynne)
- Faulkner (Largest city: Conway)
- Franklin (Largest city: Ozark)
- Fulton (Largest city: Salem)
- Garland (Largest city: Hot Springs)
- Grant (Largest city: Sheridan)
- Greene (Largest city: Paragould)
- Hempstead (largest city: Hope)
- Hot Spring (Largest city: Malvern)
- Independence (Largest city: Batesville)
- Izard (Largest city: Horseshoe Bend)
- Johnson (Largest city: Clarksville)
- Lawrence (largest city: Walnut Ridge)
- Logan (Largest city: Booneville)
- Lonoke (Largest city: Cabot)
- Madison (Largest city: Huntsville)
- Marion (Largest city: Bull Shoals)
- Miller (Largest city: Texarkana)
- Montgomery (Largest city: Mount Ida)
- Newton (Largest city: Jasper)
- Perry (Largest city: Perryville)
- Pike (Largest city: Glenwood)
- Poinsett (largest city: Harrisburg)
- Polk (Largest city: Mena)
- Pope (Largest city: Russellville)
- Prairie (Largest city: Des Arc)
- Randolph (largest city: Pocahontas)
- Saline (Largest city: Benton)
- Scott (Largest city: Waldron)
- Searcy (Largest city: Marshall)
- Sebastian (Largest city: Fort Smith)
- Sevier (Largest city: De Queen)
- Sharp (Largest city: Cherokee Village)
- Stone (Largest city: Mountain View)
- Union (Largest city: El Dorado)
- Van Buren (Largest city: Clinton)
- Washington (Largest city: Fayetteville)
- White (Largest city: Searcy)
- Yell (Largest city: Dardanelle)
By congressional district
Hutchinson won all four congressional districts.[112]
| District | Ross | Hutchinson | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 43% | 54% | Rick Crawford |
| 2nd | 46% | 52% | French Hill |
| 3rd | 33% | 64% | Steve Womack |
| 4th | 44% | 53% | Bruce Westerman |
