Harrell Wilson of the Staves community has become the first candidate to officially file for the vacant Arkansas State Senate District 1 seat following the resignation of Republican Senator Ben Gilmore of Crossett.
Wilson, a Republican, filed Monday at the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office in Little Rock alongside his wife, Holley.
The filing period for the special election opened July 13th and closes at noon July 16th. Candidates from any political party must file during that period to qualify for the August 18th special primary election.
The nominees selected in the partisan primaries, along with any qualified independent candidates, will advance to the special election on November 3rd, which will coincide with the general election.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Gilmore’s term, which expires at the end of January 2029.
State Senate District 1 covers all of Ashley, Bradley, Cleveland and Drew counties, along with portions of Chicot, Desha, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.
Wilson’s campaign also announced it has raised more than $180,000 in campaign contributions.
He has received endorsements from Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge, former Arkansas State Senator Ben Gilmore, Arkansas House Majority Leader Howard M. Beaty Jr., Arkansas State Senator Matt Stone, and Arkansas State Representatives Sonia Barker and Mike Holcomb.
Wilson serves as president of the Cleveland County School Board and is a member of the AgHeritage Farm Credit Services Board of Directors.
He operates a family-owned hardwood sawmill and manages pine and hardwood timberlands. A graduate of Rison High School, Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and also serves on the Camp Wyldewood Board, Arkansas Forestry Association Board, Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation Board, UAM Foundation Board and the UAM Board of Visitors.
In announcing his campaign, Wilson said he plans to focus on conservative principles, economic growth and issues affecting southeast Arkansas, particularly the forestry and agriculture industries.
Wilson and his wife, Holley, have three sons and two granddaughters. They live in the Staves community and are members of Rison Church of Christ, where Wilson serves as an elder.
Laura “Missy” Wardlaw of Hermitage filed Tuesday for the Republican nomination, becoming Wilson’s first announced opponent.
Wardlaw previously ran for House District 94 earlier this year, narrowly losing the Republican primary to John Day of Monticello by 87 votes, 1,221 to 1,134.
Wardlaw has identified healthcare, educational opportunities and economic growth as the top priorities of her campaign.
She and her husband, Jeff, have six children and are members of First United Methodist Church in Warren.
