Bruce
Westerman
Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas chairs the House Natural Resources Committee and is seeking re-election in 2026.
- sources
- 13
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 4
Background
Bruce Westerman is a Republican U.S. representative from Hot Springs, Arkansas, serving Arkansas's 4th Congressional District since January 2015. 19 He chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources and serves on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 110
Before entering federal office, Westerman spent 22 years as an engineer and forester at Mid-South Engineering in Hot Springs. 1 He previously served on the Fountain Lake School District board (2006–2010) and in the Arkansas House of Representatives (2011–2014), where he rose to serve as House Minority Leader in 2012 and House Majority Leader in 2013–2014. 19
Westerman holds a B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Arkansas (1990) and a Master of Forestry from Yale University (2001). 19 He is a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas. 127
Westerman is the Republican incumbent in the November 2026 general election for Arkansas's 4th Congressional District, where he faces a Democratic challenger. 235
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 4, Arkansas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative, Arkansas's 4th Congressional District
- Website
- brucewesterman.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Voting record
How Bruce Westerman voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.
- roll call votes
- 1,909
- missed
- 0.5%
- with their party’s majority
- 96%
Recent key votes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobsRetire through Ownership ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energyWater Resources Development ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energyRatepayer Protection ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safetyPROOF ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safetyNational Fraud Enforcement Division ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budgetTax Relief for Fraud Victims ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →
Timeline
- Oct 12debateWesterman and Russell debate on Arkansas TV, moderated by journalist Steve Barnes
Westerman and Russell were scheduled to debate as part of Arkansas TV's candidate series, airing and livestreaming on the morning of October 12 with a repeat at 6 p.m. No post-debate account of what was said was available in the sources reviewed.
Exclusive Arkansas TV debates series to feature ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsArkansas Public Media report highlights sharp policy differences between Westerman and Democratic challenger Russell
A report described sharp differences between Westerman and Democrat James 'Rus' Russell on Iran, Israel, inflation, and farming. Westerman defended U.S. action against Iran and said inflation remained too high. The outlet noted Westerman has won the district by at least two-thirds of the vote in every election since 2016.
Westerman faces challenge from Democrat Russell in deeply red U.S. House district · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsWesterman publishes weekly column on growing Arkansas's forestry workforce
Westerman published a column focused on building the next generation of Arkansas's forestry workforce.
Growing the Next Generation of Arkansas Forestry · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsWesterman, as House Natural Resources chair, welcomes bipartisan Senate permitting-reform proposal
Westerman issued a statement welcoming a bipartisan Senate permitting-reform proposal, saying it would 'unleash the full force of American innovation to meet our energy, minerals, infrastructure and economic demands.'
Westerman Statement on Senate Permitting Reform ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsWesterman co-introduces bipartisan Veterans Owner-Builders' Rights Act with Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez
Westerman and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) introduced the Veterans Owner-Builders' Rights Act, which would establish a five-year VA pilot providing direct home-construction loans to rural veterans, along with technical assistance and permitting provisions.
Westerman Cosponsors the Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veterans' Right to Build Their Own Homes · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28debateWesterman and Russell included in Arkansas TV's October candidate debate series
Arkansas TV announced a candidate debate series featuring seven races, including the AR-4 contest between Westerman and Democrat James 'Rus' Russell, moderated by journalist Steve Barnes.
Exclusive Arkansas TV debates series to feature ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Arkansas 10th Judicial Conservative PAC organizationListed as an endorsement on Westerman's iVoterGuide profile, updated October 3, 2026. Date of endorsement not stated. ivoterguide.com
- National Rifle Association (NRA) organizationListed as an endorsement on Westerman's iVoterGuide profile, updated October 3, 2026. Date of endorsement not stated. ivoterguide.com
- Donald Trump officialListed among Arkansas House Republicans endorsed by Trump per Washington Examiner endorsement tracker updated October 12, 2026. Exact endorsement date not confirmed in sources. washingtonexaminer.com
- Garland County TEA Party organizationListed as an endorsement on Westerman's iVoterGuide profile, updated October 3, 2026. Date of endorsement not stated. ivoterguide.com
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House AR-04 · R | Won | 153,850 | 71.0% |
| 2020 | U.S. House AR-04 · R | Won | 191,617 | 69.7% |
| 2018 | U.S. House AR-04 · R | Won | 136,740 | 66.7% |
| 2016 | U.S. House AR-04 · R | Won | 182,885 | 74.9% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.56M
- Spent
- $928K
- Cash on hand
- $4.67M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4AR04048(opens in a new tab)
Sources 13
- [1] Westerman faces challenge from Democrat Russell in deeply red U.S. House district(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [2] Growing the Next Generation of Arkansas Forestry(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] Bruce Westerman iVoterGuide Profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Westerman Statement on Senate Permitting Reform ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [5] Exclusive Arkansas TV debates series to feature ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] Westerman Cosponsors the Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veterans' Right to Build Their Own Homes(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] WESTERMAN REINTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE REFORM PLAN TO LOWER COST AND EXPAND COVERAGE FOR ALL AMERICANS(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
- [8] WESTERMAN, BRUCE — U.S. House — AR-04(opens in a new tab) Mar 31, 2026
- [9] Trump endorsement tracker: Here's who the president has ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 17, 2026
- [10] The Right to Life | Congressman Bruce Westerman - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2026
- [11] Education is the Key | Congressman Bruce Westerman(opens in a new tab) Aug 22, 2025
- [12] Westerman Statement on The Green New Deal(opens in a new tab) Apr 20, 2021
- [13] The environmental cost of the border crisis(opens in a new tab) Mar 22, 2021