The Arkansas Senate voted 19-12 today to affirm a committee’s recommendation not to overturn the results of Sen. Jack Crumbly’s 2006 election. Arnell Willis had challenged the outcome.

The committee had voted 4-3 to recommend that Crumbly, of Widener, keep his seat despite allegations of fraud. Senate debate was vigorous. In the end, it was not a Brotherhood-v.-Otherhood decision. Patterns: Black members of the Senate voted not to oust Crumbly, who is black, as is his opponent Willis. All but one of the Senate Republicans present, the exception being Gilbert Baker, voted to overturn the results. Point worth noting: It is not clear whether the irregularities noted in this election arose strictly from the Senate race. A number of other important local contests were on the ballot then.

Advertisement

For (19): Argue, Baker, Bookout, Broadway, Brown, Bryles, Critcher, Faris, Horn, Jimmy Jeffress, Johnson, Laverty, Luker, Madison, Malone, Smith, Steele, Wilkins, Wilkinson.

Against (12): Bisbee, Capps, Glover, Hendren, Miller, Pritchard, Salmon, Taylor, Thompson, Trusty, Whitaker, Womack.

Advertisement

Abstained (1): Crumbly.

Absent (3): Altes, Hill, Gene Jeffress.

Advertisement

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article Hi, I’m Mark Sanford Next article Thursday: John West, Randy Kohrs, Eli Young Band and more