Bruce Westerman

In the 2024 House race for AR-4, Bruce Westerman (R) defeated Risie Howard (D) 72.9% to 27.1%. Bruce Westerman received 197,046 votes compared to 73,207 for Risie Howard, a dominant 45.8-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Bruce Westerman benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 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 2022 House race for AR-4, Bruce Westerman (R) won with 71.0% of the vote, defeating John White (D) who received 26.2%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bruce Westerman's 44.8-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Bruce Westerman benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Bruce Westerman benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for AR-4, Bruce Westerman (R) won with 69.7% of the vote, defeating William H. Hanson (D) who received 27.5%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bruce Westerman's 42.1-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. 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 2018 House race for AR-04, Bruce Westerman (R) won with 66.7% of the vote, defeating Hayden Catherine Shamel (D) who received 31.2%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bruce Westerman's 35.5-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Bruce Westerman benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Bruce Westerman won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Republican Trump was in office).

In the 2016 House race for AR-04, Bruce Westerman (R) defeated Kerry Hicks (L) 74.9% to 25.1%. Bruce Westerman received 182,885 votes compared to 61,274 for Kerry Hicks, a dominant 49.8-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Bruce Westerman benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for AR-04, Bruce Westerman (R) won with 53.8% of the vote, defeating James Lee Witt (D) who received 42.6%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bruce Westerman's 11.2-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Tom Cotton (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, Bruce Westerman benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.