Early voting is in for the special election in Jonesboro for a successor to Democrat Paul Bookout, who resigned after being cited for campaign finance violations. 

The candidates: Businessman Steve Rockwell, a Democrat, and Republican John Cooper, an ultra conservative Tea Partyer who vowed to fight continuation of Medicaid expansion, which Bookout supported in narrow Senate passage. 

Advertisement

The vote:

Rockwell 1,744

Advertisement

Cooper 2,132

This looks promising for the GOP. Overcoming 55% early vote a remote likelihood. 

Advertisement

UPDATE: Results not final but Republicans celebrating. Election Day voting also trending Cooper. It looks over.  With more than 5,500 votes in, and just a few precincts out, Cooper is over 57%.  Night all. 

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Check out Johnny Cash’s ‘lost’ recording of ‘She Used to Love Me a Lot.’ Next article The Tuesday line: The web, suffering poor, same-sex marriage