Arkansas Governor G-AR-2026 · regular

Open in research →
Cook Political Report
Solid R
As of Apr 16, 2026
✓✓
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Safe R
As of Mar 19, 2026
✓
Polymarket
R 94¢
D 6¢
Refreshed today
R+15
Cook PVI
Incumbent
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Republican · running

Race dynamics

Non-competitive. High-profile incumbent in deep-red state. Primaries done March 3.

Macro context

Race is structurally settled. Sanders commands overwhelming partisan advantages. National investment will be virtually nonexistent.

History

Sanders won 2022 with 63%. AR is R+15.

Top contenders

Sarah Huckabee SandersIncumbent

Incumbent Governor
Nominee
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Colt Shelby

Farmer
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Fred Love

State Legislator
Declared (Nominee)
No fundraising data
Sourced: gemini

Full candidate field

Republicans (1)

Sarah Huckabee SandersIncumbent

Incumbent Governor
Nominee
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Democrats (2)

Fred Love

State Legislator
Declared (Nominee)
No fundraising data
Sourced: gemini

Fredrick Love

State Senator
Nominee
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Other / Independent (1)

Colt Shelby

Farmer
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Key dates

  • Mar 3, 2026 — primary
  • Mar 31, 2026 — runoff
  • Nov 3, 2026 — General election

Race data merged from Perplexity Pro Deep Research and Gemini Deep Research, both dated 2026-05-05, with cross-source verification. Confidence badges reflect that verification: ✓✓ both sources agree, ✓ single-source, ⚠ sources disagree. Ratings published by Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball; visual treatment is ours, no partnership implied. See /map methodology for the full freshness picture.