The Pulaski County early vote results are in and, to the degree that they’re telling, hold few surprises. The favorites in all the constitutional offices on each side are leading, perhaps save for Sen. Mat Pitsch, who some thought might have a leg up on bankruptcy-plagued Rep. Mark Lowery, in the Republican primary for State Treasurer. Lowery is winning by almost 40% in the early totals, though Pulaski is Lowery’s home county.
The early vote count was 23,602, almost identical to the 2020 total. 10,795 voted in the Republican primary; 12,469 in the Democratic. That divide is quite a bit different from 2020 when 18,021 voted Democratic and only 5,245 voted Republican. Perhaps that suggests some crossover voting.
One to watch: The hotly contested Pulaski County prosecuting attorney race between Alicia Walton and Will Jones is neck and neck.
Arkansas PBS has Jay Barth, Robert Coon, lobbyist Marty Ryall with host Steve Barnes and KUAR reporters in the field covering the election. You can watch here:
PS: Faulkner County early results are in and Sen. Jason Rapert is losing in his home county to Leslie Rutledge. The “conservative” candidates running as a block for Conway school board are all leading.