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Drew County voters returned a former county judge to office and gave their sitting sheriff another four years Tuesday, November 3, as local races took center stage in the 2026 midterm general election.
Former Drew County Judge Robert Akin, running as an independent, defeated Republican Michael Owens to reclaim the county's top administrative position, while incumbent Republican Sheriff Tim Nichols prevailed over two independent challengers to secure another term in office.
According to unofficial election results, 5,107 ballots were cast among Drew County's 9,992 registered voters, representing approximately 51.1 percent turnout.
All vote totals reported in this article reflect ballots cast in Drew County only and do not represent statewide or districtwide totals. Results remain unofficial pending completion of the canvassing and certification processes.
In one of the county's most closely watched contests, Akin received 2,897 votes, or approximately 58.6 percent of votes cast in the race, defeating Owens, who received 2,045 votes, or 41.4 percent.
Akin's 852-vote margin marked a return to the county judge's office after four years away from the position.
Owens, a Republican, had defeated incumbent County Judge Jessie Griffin in the March Republican primary, setting up the November contest against Akin.
Following his victory, Akin expressed appreciation to voters for giving him another opportunity to lead the county.
"I'm honored and pleased about the turnout," Akin said. "And I'm honored that people are willing to re-elect me to head this county in a direction that it needs to go."
Reflecting on his return to office, Akin acknowledged the confidence voters placed in him after his time away from county government.
"After a small hiatus, I guess, for four years, they put enough faith in me to put me back in office, and I appreciate it," he said.
Akin thanked his family, friends and supporters for their encouragement throughout the campaign. He also praised Owens for the manner in which he conducted his campaign.
"I'd like to thank Mike for running a good, clean campaign," Akin said. "It was very honorable of him. And I thought he did very well. He wished me well."
With the election behind him, Akin said he has already spoken with the current county judge about preparations for the change in administration.
"I spoke with the current judge, and we're going to try to get our transition in where it will be as smooth as capable," he said.
Akin closed his remarks by thanking everyone who participated in the election, emphasizing that his responsibility as county judge extends to all residents, regardless of their political preferences.
"I'd just like to say thank you to all the people of Drew County that got out and voted, even though you may not have voted for me," Akin said. "I'm going to be the judge for all the people, no matter what. And I always have been."
He added that he was grateful to those who supported his return to office.
In the race for Drew County sheriff, Tim Nichols emerged victorious in a three-candidate contest, receiving 2,833 votes, or approximately 56.3 percent of the votes cast.
Independent challenger Jerome Perez finished second with 1,923 votes, approximately 38.2 percent, while fellow independent Larry Smith received 273 votes, approximately 5.4 percent.
Nichols finished 910 votes ahead of Perez, his closest challenger, securing another term as the county's chief law enforcement officer.
Following his victory, Nichols expressed gratitude to Drew County voters for their continued confidence in his leadership and acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family and members of his department.
"I am so thankful, so blessed that the people of Drew County turned out and had faith in me, had faith in my team, my family," Nichols said. "They put everything on the line, every day."
Nichols said serving as sheriff remains a tremendous honor and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to continue leading the department.
"As your sheriff, it's a great honor, and I'm so thankful that you have allowed me to do this for another four years, and that you have faith in us," Nichols said. "We're only gonna get better from here."
Looking ahead to his next term, Nichols emphasized the importance of steady progress and continued dedication to the county.
"As I've said many times before, Rome wasn't built in a day, but it was built one day at a time," Nichols said. "And we're gonna take it one day at a time, each and every day."
He concluded his remarks with a message of appreciation to the community.
"Drew County, I thank you. I love you. Thank you for standing beside us. God bless you."
Drew County voters also cast ballots in the special election for Arkansas Senate District 1, held to fill the vacancy left by former state Sen. Ben Gilmore.
Republican Harrell Wilson received 3,142 votes in Drew County, approximately 66.7 percent of votes cast in the contest, while Democrat Tomeka Butler received 1,566 votes, approximately 33.3 percent.
Wilson's advantage in Drew County totaled 1,576 votes. The figures represent only the Drew County portion of the districtwide election.
Three contested Drew County Quorum Court positions also appeared on the ballot, with incumbents prevailing in each race.
In Justice of the Peace District 6, incumbent Republican Donna Harton Usry received 365 votes, defeating independent Logan Fuqua, who received 260.
District 7 incumbent Republican Craig Kaminicki received 384 votes, while independent challenger Joe Williams Jr. received 318.
In District 8, incumbent Frank Appleberry received 290 votes, defeating challenger David Barnett Jr., who received 240.
Several other county and municipal officials faced no opposition.
Circuit Clerk Beverly Burks was unopposed, as were Monticello Mayor Jason Akers, Wilmar Mayor Toni Perry and Tillar Mayor Robert Evans.
Tillar Recorder-Treasurer Karen Robertson also ran unopposed, along with Demetrous Trotter in the Winchester mayoral race.
Republican candidates received the most votes in Drew County in each contested federal and statewide office on the ballot.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Republican Tom Cotton received 2,906 votes, compared with 1,963 for Democrat Hallie Shoffner and 182 for Libertarian Jeff Wadlin.
In Arkansas' 4th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Bruce Westerman received 3,182 Drew County votes, while Democratic challenger James "Rus" Russell III received 1,815.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders led the county's gubernatorial voting with 2,814 votes. Democrat Fred Love received 1,857 votes, while Libertarian Colt Shelby received 391.
In the lieutenant governor's race, incumbent Republican Leslie Rutledge received 3,269 votes, compared with 1,573 for Libertarian Michael Kalagias.
Republican Kim Hammer received 2,979 votes in the Secretary of State's race, followed by Democrat Kelly Grappe with 1,849 and Libertarian Michael Pakko with 175.
In the Commissioner of State Lands contest, incumbent Republican Cole Jester received 3,213 votes, while Libertarian Christopher Olson received 1,544.
Several statewide and legislative candidates were unopposed, including Attorney General Tim Griffin, State Treasurer John Thurston and Auditor of State Dennis Milligan.
Republicans Mike Holcomb and John Kyle Day also faced no opposition in the races for State Representative in Districts 93 and 94, respectively.
Drew County voters also weighed in on four statewide ballot issues, with a majority of those voting on each measure casting ballots in favor.
Issue 1 received 3,606 votes in favor and 1,299 against, representing approximately 73.5 percent support among votes cast on the measure.
Issue 2 received 3,830 votes in favor and 1,101 opposed, with approximately 77.7 percent voting in support.
Issue 3 drew a narrower margin, with 2,633 votes in favor and 2,224 against. Approximately 54.2 percent of Drew County voters participating in that contest supported the measure.
Issue 4 received 2,712 votes in favor and 2,090 against, representing approximately 56.5 percent support.
Although all four measures received majority support among Drew County voters, their statewide outcomes depend on votes cast throughout Arkansas.
With 5,107 ballots cast, Drew County voters participated in an election featuring contested county offices, federal and state races, a special legislative election and four ballot measures.
The results provide a picture of how Drew County voters cast their ballots in the 2026 general election, but all figures remain unofficial until election officials complete the required canvassing and certification procedures.
Final certified results may differ from the totals reported on election night.
