Arkansas’ U.S. House members cruise to re-election victory, wait for national outcome

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Arkansas' members in the U.S. House of Representatives won their respective races for reelection Tuesday.

Republican Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman won new two-year terms in Congress' lower chamber.

Arkansas' four races did not receive much attention from national onlookers -- each district will remain in Republican hands -- but three of the Natural State's lawmakers may find themselves in positions to play important policymaking roles in the next Congress depending on what party controls the House once all votes are tallied.

If Republicans hold onto the chamber, Crawford, Hill and Westerman could start the next Congress as committee chairmen. Womack currently serves as a senior House appropriator and oversees the subcommittee handling funding on transportation, housing and urban development matters.

3RD DISTRICT

After overcoming a primary challenge in March, Womack, of Rogers, had to again defend his record, this time defeating Democrat Caitlin Draper and Libertarian Bobby Wilson in Tuesday's general election.

According to the Associated Press, the incomplete and unofficial results were:

Womack;^164,709 (64%)

Draper;^81,555 (32%)

Wilson;^10,914 (4%)

"Conservative principles such as less government, lower taxes, pro-growth and pro-family policies, the rule of law and a strong national defense are what I believe creates a better America for all. Tonight, we see that 3d District Arkansans agree with me," the congressman said in a statement.

Womack -- who served as Rogers' mayor for 12 years before winning the congressional position in the 2010 midterm elections -- had to endure a primary challenge from state Sen. Clint Penzo in March. Womack won that election with 53.9% of the vote compared to Penzo's 46.1%.

Womack has an important role in Congress' annual appropriations process. A House Appropriations Committee member since his arrival on Capitol Hill, Womack oversees the subcommittee handling spending involving the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies.

4TH DISTRICT

Westerman, of Hot Springs, soundly defeated Democrat Risie Howard of Pine Bluff, extending his Capitol Hill career to a decade come next January.

The incomplete and unofficial returns from the Associated Press were:

Westerman^162,675 (73%)

Howard^60,532 (27%)

"It is an honor of a lifetime to continue representing the 4th district of Arkansas," Westerman said in a statement. "I still stand by the statement that Arkansas has what America needs, and I look forward to getting back to work in DC. Thank you all!"

Westerman served in the state House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, which included two years as the chamber's majority leader.

The only licensed forester on Capitol Hill, Westerman has spent this Congress overseeing the House Natural Resources Committee, which has oversight over public lands, water resources and energy development.

The committee has succeeded in accomplishing some of its goals during the last two years; the 2023 debt ceiling agreement included language expediting the permitting process for energy projects, including provisions narrowing environmental impact studies. Westerman previously expressed interest in the committee addressing mineral extraction in the next Congress.

1ST DISTRICT

Crawford, of Jonesboro, defeated Democrat Rodney Govens of Cabot and Libertarian Steve Parsons of Lakeview. Crawford was first elected to Congress in November 2010.

The incomplete and unofficial returns from Associated Press were

Crawford^152,643 (73%)

Govens^51,033 (24%)

Parsons^6,467 (3%)

"I'm very appreciative that they have placed that kind of trust in me over the years," Crawford told the Democrat-Gazette. "That's not something I take lightly."

Crawford has his sights on the top Republican spot on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Jonesboro congressman in March announced his intention to seek the chair position; Crawford is an experienced committee member and currently oversees the body's Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

2ND DISTRICT

Hill, of Little Rock, will mark a decade representing Central Arkansas in January following his victory in Tuesday's election. Hill defeated Democrat Marcus Jones of Little Rock.

The incomplete and unofficial returns from the Associated Press were:

Hill^163,436 (61%)

Jones^106,218 (39%)

Hill has positioned himself to possibly become the next chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The former Delta Trust & Bank CEO serves in the current Congress as the committee's vice chair under North Carolina Republican Patrick McHenry.

Over the past two years, Hill has played an instrumental role in pushing legislation affecting regulations on digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies.

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Arkansas’ U.S. House members cruise to re-election victory, wait for national outcome

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