Quick take
- Andre Rucks (D) defeated incumbent Mayor Paul Choate (R) and Byron D. Miller Jr. (I): 2,479 (54.6%), 1,842 (40.6%) and 217 (4.8%). He is to be sworn in Jan. 1.
- The El Dorado News-Times reports Rucks will be the first Black man to serve as El Dorado mayor in the city’s 182-year history. Veronica Smith-Creer was the first Black mayor, 2019 to 2022.
- Off-premise Sunday alcohol sales passed: For 2,489 (55.4%), Against 2,005 (44.6%).
- City attorney: LaQuetta S. Henry (D) unseated Robert Rushing (R), 2,502 to 2,006. Union County sheriff: Michael Fife (R) defeated Erick L. Meadows (D), 59.7% to 40.3%.
- Council: Judy Ward held Ward 2 Pos. 2; LaQuita Rainey unseated Jill Weinischke in Ward 1 Pos. 2; Lance Greer Jr. beat Veronica Smith-Creer for Ward 2 Pos. 1.
El Dorado voters picked a new mayor, a new city attorney and Sunday package-store rules on the same ballot that also flipped several council seats. Results were reported by the El Dorado News-Times and the Magnolia Reporter.
Mayor
Andre Rucks (D), a city council member, defeated incumbent Mayor Paul Choate (R) and Byron D. Miller Jr. (I): 2,479 (54.6%), 1,842 (40.6%) and 217 (4.8%). Rucks is to be sworn in Jan. 1. The News-Times reports he will be the first Black man to serve as El Dorado mayor in the city’s 182-year history. Veronica Smith-Creer was the first Black mayor, serving 2019 to 2022. Rucks has said balancing the budget and controlling spending are top priorities amid flat revenues and conservative 2027 department asks, the News-Times reported.
Sunday alcohol sales
Off-premise Sunday alcohol sales passed: For 2,489 (55.4%), Against 2,005 (44.6%), according to the Magnolia Reporter and an Arkansas liquor roundup.
City attorney, sheriff and council
LaQuetta S. Henry (D) unseated Robert Rushing (R) for city attorney, 2,502 to 2,006. The News-Times says she is the city’s first Black city attorney. For Union County sheriff, Michael Fife (R) defeated Erick L. Meadows (D), 59.7% to 40.3%, the Magnolia Reporter reported.
On the council, Judy Ward held Ward 2 Position 2; LaQuita Rainey unseated Jill Weinischke in Ward 1 Position 2; and Lance Greer Jr. beat Veronica Smith-Creer for Ward 2 Position 1, the News-Times reported.