Tom Cotton

In the 2020 Senate race for AR Senate seat, Tom Cotton (R) defeated Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. (L) 66.5% to 33.5%. Tom Cotton received 793,871 votes compared to 399,390 for Ricky Dale Harrington Jr., a dominant 33.1-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — John Boozman (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2014 Senate race for AR Senate seat, Tom Cotton (R) won with 56.5% of the vote, defeating Mark L. Pryor (D) who received 39.4%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Tom Cotton's 17.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, Tom Cotton benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2012 House race for AR-04, Tom Cotton (R) won with 59.5% of the vote, defeating Gene Jeffress (D) who received 36.7%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Tom Cotton's 22.8-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.