FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Franklin County resident filed a lawsuit against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester over the timeline for the Arkansas Senate District 26 special election.

The District 26 seat was left vacant by Sen. Gary Stubblefield after his death on Sept. 2. The district includes parts of Franklin, Sebastian, Logan and Scott counties.

Sanders said in a proclamation on Sept. 26 that the special primary election would be held on March 3, 2026, and the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

After receiving backlash from the decision, Sanders moved the general election date to June 9, 2026.

Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forrest), who represents District 28, which includes parts of Franklin County, criticized the governor's new timeline, saying it

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