North Little Rock, Arkansas – Unofficial results are in from Tuesday’s Democratic special primary election for Arkansas House District 70, signaling a decisive victory for Alex Holladay. As of 10 p.m., the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office reports Holladay secured 641 votes, nearly 80% of the total, while challenger Cordelia Smith-Johnson received 164 votes.
The election was held to determine the Democratic nominee who will face Republican Bon Renshaw in a special general election scheduled for March 3. District 70, which spans North Little Rock, Sherwood, and portions of Camp Robinson, contains almost 21,000 registered voters, according to Pulaski County officials. The seat became vacant following the resignation of Republican Gus Wing, who left to assume a leadership role at Arkansas PBS, now known as Arkansas TV.
Holladay is no stranger to the district’s political landscape. He previously ran against Wing in the 2024 election, narrowly losing with 7,255 votes to Wing’s 7,541, a margin of just 51% to 49%. Unlike in that contest, Tuesday’s primary showed a strong margin for Holladay, underscoring his continued support among local Democratic voters. “I am humbled by the trust my neighbors have placed in me,” Holladay said after the results were released.
For Smith-Johnson, this election represented her first run for office. Despite the wide gap in votes, she expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the community and bring attention to issues important to her constituents. “Running for this seat has been an incredible learning experience, and I am grateful to everyone who supported my campaign,” she said.
The results are currently unofficial and are available on both the Pulaski County Board of Election Commissioners website and the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website. With the special general election approaching on March 3, voters in District 70 will again weigh Holladay against Renshaw in a contest that is expected to draw significant attention.
Political analysts note that the district has a mix of urban and suburban areas, and the outcome of the special election could influence future races in Pulaski County. With nearly 21,000 registered voters, turnout in special elections tends to be lower than in general elections, meaning campaigns must engage directly with residents to secure support.
Holladay’s strong showing in the primary provides momentum heading into March, giving him a clear advantage as he prepares for the upcoming matchup against Renshaw. Meanwhile, Smith-Johnson’s campaign, though ending in defeat, highlighted her community engagement and may serve as a foundation for potential future campaigns.
As the March 3 general election draws closer, both campaigns are expected to ramp up voter outreach and issue-focused messaging. District 70 voters will once again have the opportunity to weigh in on who will represent them in the Arkansas House of Representatives, a decision that carries implications for local policy and governance in the North Little Rock and Sherwood communities.
