Adam Watson of Branch, a vocal critic of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ plan for a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, has qualified as an independent candidate for the Arkansas Senate District 26 special election.
Secretary of State Cole Jester’s office confirmed Watson submitted 250 valid signatures by Tuesday’s deadline, well above the 75 required. He previously circulated a petition seeking a legislative hearing on the prison proposal. As an independent, Watson bypasses the Jan. 6 primary and advances directly to the March 3 general election.
The District 26 seat has been vacant since Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, died in September. The winner will serve the remainder of the term through January 2029. The new senator will take office ahead of the April fiscal session, when lawmakers are expected to consider funding for the proposed prison.
Five Republicans, former Rep. Mark Berry, Wade Dunn, Stacie Smith, Ted Tritt, and Brad Simon, will compete in the primary. Berry has not publicly opposed the prison plan, while the other four have voiced opposition. Stubblefield’s family has endorsed Dunn.
Watson said his independent campaign resonates with voters who want someone focused on the district rather than political parties.
“All of the work I’ve been doing in the district before a political opportunity presented itself is ringing true with voters,” he said.
Independent candidates in the 2026 regular elections can begin collecting signatures in January.
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