Who is Hallie Shoffner and what is Shoffner running on in the 2026 Arkansas Senate race?

Hallie Shoffner is the Democratic candidate for Arkansas U.S. Senate. Sixth-generation Arkansas farmer and small-business owner; first-time candidate; endorsed by ex-Sen. Blanche Lincoln and ex-Gov. Mike Beebe. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Tom Cotton (R) seeking a third term.
• Rating: Solid R (Cook).
• Polling: Polls diverge: Shoffner 47.4, Cotton 44, Libertarian Jeff Wadlin 3 (Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College, Aug 11 to 12, 2026, 1,217 LV); Cotton 51, Shoffner 35 (J.L. Partners, released Aug 18, 2026); Cotton 46, Shoffner 43 (2040 Strategy Group, D, July 17 to 25, 2026).

Why Shoffner is behind

• Arkansas is deep red; Democrats have not won a Senate race there since 2008.
• Cotton has Trump’s endorsement and a large money edge ($13.6M raised and $9.9M cash vs Shoffner’s $2.3M and $864K, June 30, 2026).
• Shoffner’s case: the Hendrix poll had her ahead, leading independents 59 to 29, with 48% of voters strongly disapproving of Trump.
• Cotton’s camp points to J.L. Partners showing him up 16, which national coverage treated as evidence the Hendrix poll was an outlier.

What Shoffner is running on

• Cost of living. Making life affordable for working Arkansans.
• Healthcare. Ensuring Arkansans have insurance and access to providers.
• Agriculture / rural. Modernized farm policy, clean water, broadband, schools, housing, childcare and elder care.
• Accountability. ‘Holding Washington accountable’ and ‘putting Arkansas first’ (campaign framing).

The other candidates

• Tom Cotton (R)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.