State Sen. Kim Hammer has secured the Republican nomination for Arkansas Secretary of State following Tuesday’s primary runoff, despite trailing in much of the Twin Lakes Area.
Hammer narrowly defeated Bryan Norris statewide and will advance to the November general election. Hammer received 40,876 votes, or 50.58 percent. Norris finished with 39,938 votes, or 49.42 percent.
Across North Central Arkansas, Norris carried the majority of counties.
In Boone County, Norris received 1,845 votes, or 51.26 percent, compared to Hammer’s 1,754 votes, or 48.74 percent.
Norris also carried Marion County with 293 votes (63.56 percent) to Hammer’s 168 votes (36.44 percent).
In Baxter County, the race was close, with Norris edging Hammer 2,626 votes (50.4 percent) to 2,584 votes (49.6 percent).
Fulton County saw one of Norris’ strongest performances, earning 153 votes (72.86 percent), while Hammer received 57 votes (27.14 percent).
In Sharp County, Norris led with 196 votes (57.48 percent), compared to Hammer’s 145 votes (42.52 percent).
Izard County also favored Norris, who received 206 votes (66.45 percent) to Hammer’s 104 votes (33.55 percent).
Stone County was one of the few area counties to back Hammer, where he received 897 votes, or 50.65 percent, narrowly defeating Norris, who had 874 votes, or 49.35 percent.
Hammer had the backing of several top Arkansas Republicans, including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, and has highlighted his work on election-related legislation.
Norris, an Army veteran, focused his campaign on election transparency and proposed changes including eliminating early voting and conducting post-election audits.
Despite Norris’ strong showing locally, Hammer’s statewide support secured him the Republican nomination.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI