Sarah
Huckabee Sanders

An Arkansas TV debate series featuring governor candidates Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Fred Love, and Colt Shelby was scheduled to air and livestream at 10 a.m. on October 13, with a repeat at 7 p.m. As of October 11, the debate had not yet taken place.

The Los Angeles Times reported on backlash from conservative commentators who objected to the racial framing of Sanders' campaign ad depicting a lazy welfare recipient as a young white man. Her campaign manager said Sanders stood by the ad.

Governor Sanders issued an updated proclamation moving the special election for state Senate District 18 to December 15, 2026, changing the previously announced date. The seat was formerly held by Jonathan Dismang.

Candidates for Arkansas governor detailed their plans for office; Sanders reiterated her support for phasing out the state income tax and said healthcare would be a focus of the next legislative session, without specifying her stance on Medicaid expansion.

A Sanders campaign video promoting Medicaid work requirements depicted a fictional young white man named 'Brad' abusing benefits. Conservative commentators objected to the ad's racial framing, while her campaign manager said Sanders stood by the ad. The policy requires certain able-bodied Medicaid expansion adults to complete 80 hours per month of work, training, education, or volunteering.

In coverage of candidates' plans, Sanders said she wanted to continue phasing out Arkansas' income tax, described healthcare as a likely focus of the next legislative session, and backed building a new prison in Franklin County to address overcrowding.

Governor Sanders issued a proclamation calling for a special election to fill the vacancy in the office of State Senator for District 18, left vacant after Jonathan Dismang departed the seat.

A Talk Business & Politics–Hendrix College poll of 1,217 people put incumbent Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders at 45%, Democrat Fred Love at 40%, and Libertarian Colt Shelby at 7% ahead of the November 3 general election.

A race profile citing campaign-finance data reported Sanders had raised $7.7 million total, including $198,000 in June, with more than $5 million available at the end of June—far outpacing Democratic challenger Fred Love.