While Arkansas was long a practically single-party state dominated by the Democratic Party during the Solid South, the rise of the Southern Strategy and the realignment of political parties has turned it and most other southern states into Republican strongholds.

Democratic strength is mostly isolated to Little Rock, the state capital and largest city, and Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, as well as the Black Belt along the Mississippi Delta, with large populations of rural African Americans.

Wilson was convicted of a misdemeanor 30 years earlier for "illegal use of federal farm loans and selling mortgaged crops."

[6] According to Ballotpedia, the general election in the 45th House district was cancelled, with incumbent Republican Jim Wooten winning without appearing on the ballot.

[7] According to Ballotpedia, the general election in the 46th House district was cancelled, with incumbent Republican Les Eaves winning without appearing on the ballot.