LITTLE ROCK, AR—At noon on Monday marked the deadline for those wishing to run for state and district offices as independent candidates to submit nominating petitions to the secretary of state’s office for verification.
23 individuals filed notices of candidacy to run as independent candidates during the March candidate filing period. Ten of them submitted their nominating petitions to the secretary of state’s office by today’s deadline.
They are as follows:
- Thomas R. McLemore of Warren, AR for State Rep., Dist. 8 (215 signatures)
- Jim Parsons of Bella Vista, AR for State Rep., Dist. 98 (441 signatures)
- Andy Riner of Hatfield, AR for Prosecuting Attorney, Dist. 18-W (255 signatures)
- Roger Sumpter of West Memphis, AR for State Rep., Dist. 53 (175 signatures)
- Ronnie Spence of Paragould, AR for State Rep., Dist. 78 (198 signatures)
- Richard Walden of Jonesboro, AR for US House, Dist. 1 (2,000 signatures)
- Trevor Drown of Russellville, AR for US Senate (10,000 signatures)
- Lance Levi of Little Rock, AR for US House, Dist. 2 (2,000 signatures)
- Weldon Wynn of Star City, AR for State Rep., Dist 10 (212 signatures)
- Richard Daes of Little Rock, AR for State Rep., Dist 35 (150 signatures)
The number of signatures required varies by office. Under Arkansas law, independent candidates are required to obtain signatures of 3% of the qualified electors in the county, township or district in which they are running, or 2,000 signatures, whichever is the lesser number. Statewide candidates, including independent candidates for U.S. Senate, must obtain signatures from 3% of the qualified electors in the state, or 10,000 signatures, whichever is the lesser number.
The secretary of state’s office will verify that the petitions contain the required number of valid signatures before certifying the candidates for the November 2 General Election ballot.
