WESTSIDE -- Siloam Springs businessman Tyler Dees led the District 35 Senate race against Rep. Gayla McKenzie, R-Gravette, and businessman Jeff Tennant of Gentry in the May 24 Republican primary.
Dees received a total of 4,291 votes or 45.74 percent of the vote. State Representative Gayla Hendren-McKenzie (R-92) received 3,158 votes or 33.66 percent of the vote, and Jeff Tennant received 1,932 votes or 20.59 percent of the vote. With no candidate receiving the majority of votes cast in the primary, the winner -- either Dees or McKenzie -- will be determined in the runoff election to be held on June 21 and then face Libertarian Doug Peterson in November.
This seat was left open when Sen. Jim Hendren, I-Sulphur Springs, didn't seek another term. McKenzie is Hendren's sister.
District 35 covers most of western Benton and northwestern Washington counties.
In a local House race, Hope Hendren Duke will face Jay Oliphant in the June 21 runoff election to be the Republican candidate for District 12 State Representative.
Duke received 2,051 or 42.95 percent of the votes; Oliphant received 1,674 or 34.76 percent; and Jason Maxwell 1,091 or 22.65 percent.
The June 21 winner is unopposed in the November election.
District 12 covers the northwest corner of Benton County and includes Decatur, Gravette, Hiwasse, Maysville, Sulphur Springs and a part of Bella Vista.
State Representative Delia Haak (R-91) won the Republican primary for the State Representative District 17 seat. Haak does not have a challenger for the general election in November.
Other Races
Benton County Clerk Betsy Harrell, County Sheriff Shawn Holloway. County Collector Gloria Peterson, County Coroner Daniel R. Oxford and County Judge Barry Moehring won their primaries with 100 percent of the vote.
Roderick M. Grieve will retain his position as Benton County Assessor, as well as Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields, who also will remain in her position.
County Treasurer Deanna Ratcliffe received 100 percent of the vote so she will remain in her position. Micheal Eugene James won the seat of county surveyor for Benton County. None will face a challenger in November.
Incumbent U.S. Senator John Boozman received the most votes with 200,755 votes or 58.04 percent of the vote, giving him the Republican slot on the ballot. Boozman will face Democrat Natalie James in November. James received 49,556 votes or 54.12 percent of the vote.
Incumbent Congressman Steve Womack (R-3) received 60,757 votes or 78.75 percent of the vote.
Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin won the Republican primary for attorney general. Griffin received 284,873 votes or 85.39 percent of the vote.
Former Trump Administration press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be the Republican candidate for governor. Huckabee Sanders received 287,905 votes or 83.16 percent of the vote. She will face Democrat challenger Chris Jones in November. Jones received 66,324 votes or 70.47 percent of the vote.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge received 183,126 votes or 54.03 percent of the vote for the lieutenant governor post.
Secretary of State John Thurston received 235,879 votes or 72.11 percent of the vote, making him the Republican candidate. Thurston will face Democrat challenger Anna Beth Gorman, who received 52,548 votes or 58.59 percent of the vote.
Dustin Todd won the Republican slot on the November ballot for the local justice of the peace, beating challenger Jarod Morgan, 1,217 votes to 728. In November, he will face Democrat Rey Hernandez, who ran unopposed for the Democrat slot and received 165 votes.
Local School Board Races
In Decatur, Darlene Holly narrowly defeated Brett Wilkins (20 votes to 19) for the Zone 4 seat.
In Gentry, Gary Dunlap will retain his Zone 1 seat, winning over Kellsey Eller, 141 votes to 100, but John Skaggs was defeated in the race for the Zone 3 seat by Becky Burkhalter, 109 votes to 99.
Decatur Special Election
A measure permitting Sunday alcohol sales in Decatur passed, 60 votes to 39, in the May 24 special election.