Hallie
Shoffner
Arkansas farmer and small-business owner Hallie Shoffner is the 2026 Democratic nominee challenging Sen. Tom Cotton.
- sources
- 27
- positions
- 23
- endorsements
- 7
Background
Hallie Shoffner is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Arkansas in the 2026 midterm election, challenging incumbent Republican Senator Tom Cotton. She grew up on a soybean and rice farm outside Newport, Arkansas, and has spent much of her career in agriculture and public service. 3
Shoffner earned a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service. Her career has included leadership at the nonprofit Seis Puentes Education & Resource Center, roles at her family's seed business SFR Seed (2015–2024), and service as CEO of Delta Harvest beginning in January 2024. Her family's farm shut down after the 2024 season. 31023
Shoffner won the Democratic Senate primary with approximately 78.3% of the vote, according to CNN's results page. 15 Her campaign focuses on issues framed around fairness and giving Arkansans a stronger voice in the Senate. 15
She has no prior elected office listed in available sources. Her campaign website and social media describe her primarily as a farmer and small-business owner. 38
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Arkansas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate (Arkansas, 2026)
- Website
- hallieshoffner.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementFormer senator Jon Tester endorses Shoffner, citing their shared background as farmers
The American Prospect reported that Shoffner received an endorsement from former Montana senator Jon Tester, described as a fellow farmer. No specific date for the endorsement was found in the sources reviewed.
A Prairie Populist in Crimson-Red Arkansas · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11newsArkansas Democrat-Gazette publishes full profile of Shoffner ahead of November 3 election
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette profiled Shoffner, detailing her background as a former farmer, her July 2025 campaign launch, and her argument that her personal story resonates with Arkansans facing economic uncertainty.
Democrat Hallie Shoffner, candidate for U.S. Senate, believes her story resonates across Arkansas · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsAmerican Prospect profiles Shoffner as a 'prairie populist' emphasizing farm antitrust and market reform
The American Prospect published a profile highlighting Shoffner's policy platform: antitrust enforcement, agricultural diversification, regional food systems, seed-patent reform, and infrastructure investment. She was quoted saying, 'We don't want bailouts. We want markets.' The article also noted an endorsement from former Montana senator Jon Tester.
A Prairie Populist in Crimson-Red Arkansas · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6controversyFree Beacon reports allegation that Shoffner's farm employed three unauthorized workers
The Washington Free Beacon reported a former senior employee's allegation that Shoffner's family farming company employed three workers not authorized to work in the U.S. Shoffner's campaign disputed the claim, demanded credible evidence, and said she had used the federal H-2A agricultural-worker program.
Arkansas Dem Senate Candidate Employed Three Illegal ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsShoffner criticizes Cotton and Trump for focusing on daylight saving time over kitchen-table issues
In an interview on MS NOW, Shoffner said voters were asking about gas prices, grocery prices, and health care—not daylight saving time—and criticized Cotton and Trump for prioritizing the issue.
Tom Cotton has wrong priorities in daylight saving time fight: Hallie Shoffner · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6controversyNRSC accuses Shoffner of lying to Arkansans
The NRSC issued a press release accusing Shoffner of again being caught lying to Arkansans, amid the controversy over the farm-worker allegations and other campaign disputes.
Hallie Shoffner caught lying to Arkansans… again – NRSC · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsShoffner argues Cotton's support for Iran war is raising diesel costs for Arkansas farmers
In a Morning Joe appearance, Shoffner claimed that Cotton's support for the war in Iran was hurting Arkansas farmers through higher diesel costs.
'Finally got the war he wanted': Hallie Shoffner says Tom Cotton's ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsSocial Security emerges as key issue dividing Cotton and Shoffner
Social Security policy took center stage in the Arkansas Senate race, with coverage highlighting the differing positions of Cotton and Shoffner on the program.
Social Security takes center stage in Arkansas’ Senate race: Here’s where Tom Cotton and Hallie Shoffner differ · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30debateSalem Media debate with Cotton and Shoffner accepted but date unannounced
The Magnolia Reporter noted that both Cotton and Shoffner had accepted invitations to a Salem Media-hosted debate as of September 30, but the date and time had not yet been announced.
Arkansas TV announces lineup for state, federal debates next month · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsCotton and allies outspending Shoffner roughly 65-to-1 on advertising
Newsweek reported Shoffner had raised about $2.3 million for the cycle and spent $208,703 on advertising alongside allies, compared with roughly $13.6 million spent by Cotton and supporting groups.
GOP's Tom Cotton Outspending Dem Rival 65-1 in State Trump Won ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28debateArkansas TV announces Senate debate featuring Shoffner and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin on October 12
Arkansas TV announced a Senate debate featuring Shoffner and Wadlin scheduled for October 12, airing live at 1:30 p.m. and repeating at 7 p.m. A second debate at ASU-TV was set for October 22. Tom Cotton was not listed for either event.
Exclusive Arkansas TV debates series to feature ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22controversyBacklash over Shoffner's immigrant-worker comment grows
Political.org reported ongoing backlash over Shoffner's remark comparing the work ethic of immigrant agricultural workers to Americans, with critics using the comment against her campaign.
Arkansas Democratic Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner Faces ... · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16controversyShoffner faces backlash over remark that farmers would 'trade five Americans' for one immigrant worker
Critics highlighted a comment Shoffner made on Free Arkansas in which she said, 'we'd trade five Americans for just one of them because of how hard they work,' referring to immigrant agricultural workers.
Shoffner Says ‘We’d Trade Five Americans’ for One Illegal ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 12debateCotton and Shoffner both consider debate invitations in Arkansas
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Cotton and Shoffner were both considering debate invitations hosted within the state, including one from Salem Media whose date had not yet been set.
Arkansas’ U.S. Senate candidates consider debates hosted in state | Arkansas Democrat Gazette · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 11pollContrasting polls show wide divergence in Arkansas Senate race
A Talk Business & Politics–Hendrix College survey of 1,217 likely voters (Aug. 11–12) gave Shoffner 47.4% to Cotton's 44% (MOE ±4.7 pts), while a J.L. Partners poll of 803 likely voters in August had Cotton ahead 51% to 35%.
Arkansas Senate race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Mar 1filingShoffner wins Democratic primary with 78% of the vote
Newsweek reported that Shoffner won the March 2026 Democratic primary with 78% of the vote, securing the nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Tom Cotton.
GOP's Tom Cotton Outspending Dem Rival 65-1 in State Trump Won ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 1, 2025newsHallie Shoffner launches U.S. Senate campaign after closing family farm near Newport
Shoffner, a former farmer, launched her Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate in July 2025 following the closure of her family's farm near Newport, Arkansas.
Democrat Hallie Shoffner, candidate for U.S. Senate, believes her story resonates across Arkansas · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Judge Marion A. Humphrey, Sr. officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date stated. hallieshoffner.com
- Jon Tester officialFormer U.S. senator from Montana. Listed on campaign endorsement page; no endorsement date stated. hallieshoffner.com
- Andy Kim officialU.S. senator from New Jersey. Listed on campaign endorsement page; no endorsement date stated. hallieshoffner.com
- Mike Beebe officialFormer governor of Arkansas. Listed on campaign endorsement page; no endorsement date stated. hallieshoffner.com
- National Education Association (NEA) organizationThe campaign lists the NEA's recommendation of Shoffner, attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle. No date stated. hallieshoffner.com
- Arkansas AFL-CIO unionShoffner announced the endorsement on September 7, 2026, writing 'I'm honored to announce that the Arkansas AFL-CIO has endorsed our campaign for the United States Senate.' x.com · Sep 7, 2026
- Blanche Lincoln officialFormer U.S. senator from Arkansas. Campaign news page lists a July 21, 2026 item titled 'Former U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Endorses Hallie Shoffner for U.S.' hallieshoffner.com · Jul 21, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.27M
- Spent
- $1.41M
- Cash on hand
- $864K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6AR00199(opens in a new tab)
Sources 27
- [1] Democrat Hallie Shoffner, candidate for U.S. Senate, believes her story resonates across Arkansas(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] A Prairie Populist in Crimson-Red Arkansas(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] The Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] 'Finally got the war he wanted': Hallie Shoffner says Tom Cotton's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Arkansas Dem Senate Candidate Employed Three Illegal ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [6] Hallie Shoffner caught lying to Arkansans… again – NRSC(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [7] Tom Cotton has wrong priorities in daylight saving time fight: Hallie Shoffner(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [8] Arkansas Senate race 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [9] Hallie Shoffner (D) – Arkansas Senate 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [10] Endorsements - Hallie Shoffner for Senate 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [11] Social Security takes center stage in Arkansas’ Senate race: Here’s where Tom Cotton and Hallie Shoffner differ(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [12] Arkansas TV announces lineup for state, federal debates next month(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [13] GOP's Tom Cotton Outspending Dem Rival 65-1 in State Trump Won ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [14] Exclusive Arkansas TV debates series to feature ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [15] What Senate candidates say about debt, Social Security -(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [16] Democratic candidate Hallie Shoffner challenges Sen. Tom Cotton(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [17] Arkansas Democratic Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner Faces ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [18] Red state Dem faces fury for suggesting illegal aliens ... - Fox News(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [19] Shoffner Says ‘We’d Trade Five Americans’ for One Illegal ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [20] Arkansas’ U.S. Senate candidates consider debates hosted in state | Arkansas Democrat Gazette(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [21] Hallie Shoffner on X: "Arkansas workers are the backbone of ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 7, 2026
- [22] Arkansas Democrat reverses on defunding ICE after Cotton campaign ads hit home(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
- [23] VIDEO: Arkansas Democrat US Senate Candidate Hallie Shoffner Echoes AOC’s Green New Deal Carbon Agenda - Loomered(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
- [24] Senate Q&A: Sen. Tom Cotton and Democratic challenger ... - KAIT(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [25] Shoffner condemns home incident involving possibly armed person(opens in a new tab) Jul 9, 2026
- [26] News(opens in a new tab) Jun 8, 2026
- [27] Hallie Shoffner returns to her roots; pushes for ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2023