2026 Arkansas gubernatorial election
Arkansas’s 2026 gubernatorial election will decide the state’s next governor. Incumbent Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders is seeking a second term against Democratic nominee Fred Love and Libertarian nominee Colt Shelby; the race is notable for contrasting Sanders’ first-term record and fundraising advantage with Love’s legislative profile and Shelby’s third-party challenge.
Candidates
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the incumbent Republican governor of Arkansas and is seeking reelection in 2026. Before becoming governor in 2023, she served as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump and previously worked in Republican campaigns and administration roles. Her reelection campaign has highlighted her record on education policy, tax cuts, and public safety.
Fred Love won the Democratic nomination for Arkansas governor on March 3, 2026, after serving in the Arkansas Senate since 2011. In the general election, he is running on a platform that includes eliminating the state’s private-school voucher program, increasing teacher pay, expanding literacy and mental health services, and boosting early childhood funding.
Colt Shelby was nominated by the Libertarian Party of Arkansas on February 23, 2026, after previously suing the state over the timing of a special election in Senate District 26. He is running as the Libertarian nominee for governor and has framed the race around opposition to the state’s prison plan in Franklin County and a broader limited-government message.
Polling
Data Analysis Information
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 4/6/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.