Arkansas' eighth state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Mathew Pitsch.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 82,321 civilians reside within Arkansas' eighth state senate district. Arkansas state senators represent an average of 83,312 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 76,383 residents.

About the office

Members of the Arkansas State Senate are elected to four-year terms with term limits. The Arkansas legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Arkansas senators are subject to term limits of no more than 16 years in either or both legislative chambers throughout their lifetimes. Service in the state legislature is part-time. In the first election after the census, all 35 seats are up for election. The Senators "shall divide themselves into two classes, by lot, and the first class shall hold their places for two years only, after which all shall be elected for four years." Arkansas legislators assume office on the first day of session: the second Monday of January.

Qualifications

Article 5, Section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, nor any one who has not been for two years next preceding his election, a resident of this State, and for one year next preceding his election, a resident of the county or district whence he may be chosen. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age."

Salaries

Term limits

The Arkansas legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. The Arkansas State Senate has been a term-limited state Senate since Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Term Limits Initiative in 1992 as an initiated constitutional amendment. In 2014, Arkansas voters passed the Arkansas Elected Officials Ethics, Transparency and Financial Reform Amendment which permits legislators to serve a total of 16 years in the House or Senate during his or her lifetime.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the Governor must call for a special election in order to fill the vacancy. The election must be called by the Governor without delay. For all special elections in the senate, the county that first established the district is responsible for conducting the election.

All special elections must be held on the second Tuesday of each month. However, if the second Tuesday of the month falls on a legal holiday, the election can be held on the third Tuesday of the month instead. Special elections can also be held at the same time as the statewide primary election, the general election, or the presidential primary.

Elections

2018

Regular election

No Democratic candidates ran in the primary.

Special election

No Democratic candidates ran in the primary.

2014

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014; a runoff election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 3, 2014. Incumbent Jake Files was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 22, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 1, 2012. Incumbent Jake Files ran unopposed in the May 22 Republican primary before winning the general election without opposition.

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Arkansas State Senate District 8 raised a total of $236,789. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $33,827 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Arkansas State Senate District 8