Alex Holladay of North Little Rock will advance to the March 3 special election to fill a vacant Arkansas House seat after winning Tuesday’s special Democratic primary.
Holladay defeated Cordelia Smith-Johnson of Sherwood, receiving 641 of the 805 votes cast, or nearly 80% of the vote. He will face Republican Bo Renshaw in the special general election to represent Pulaski County’s House District 70 until January 2027.
In a statement, Holladay thanked voters and called for continued support in the general election. He said he is running to promote strong schools, safe streets, and a healthier future, while holding the state government accountable on issues including prison expansion and cuts to health and food services.
Holladay previously lost to Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock, in the November 2024 election by 316 votes. Wing resigned in September to lead Arkansas TV, the state’s recently rebranded public television outlet.
Holladay cited frustration with the 2023 LEARNS Act, which created a school voucher program, as a motivating factor for his candidacy.
Smith-Johnson, an Air Force veteran and Army National Guard prevention coordinator, said she was proud of the race and emphasized the importance of ensuring the election occurred so constituents would not be left without representation.
Both Holladay and Smith-Johnson will also face off in the district’s regular Democratic primary on March 3, with the winner advancing to the November general election against Renshaw for a two-year term beginning in January 2027.
If a Democrat wins in either March or November, parts of North Little Rock and Sherwood would have Democratic representation in the Arkansas House for the first time in 12 years, in a chamber currently controlled by Republicans, who hold 80 of the 100 seats.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI