Arkansas is in a sad state politically. Thus we begin 2026 just where we ended 2025.

We live in the state with the lowest voter turnout in the country. That's an embarrassing statistic, but it's understandable since average Arkansans know their thoughts don't matter to officeholders in Little Rock. We have a governor who raises money from MAGA forces in all 50 states, thus scaring off more qualified opponents. She then must answer to those out-of-state interests and the Trump administration rather than the people of Arkansas.

We have legislators who lack the courage to stand up to the governor. Our so-called legislative leaders act as a rubber stamp for Gov. Sarah Sanders. We're talking about people like state Sen. Bart Hester, the empty vessel who serves as Senate president pro tempore.

The other statewide constitutional officers have found it easier to ride the MAGA train than to serve as traditional Republicans focused on wise spending and government efficiency.

We have a Democratic Party that's so weak it can't manage to field credible candidates for most of the seven constitutional offices.

We have a governor, attorney general, secretary of state and members of the Arkansas Supreme Court who work hard to make it impossible for Arkansans to circulate petitions and get items on the ballot. So much for the idea of direct democracy in Arkansas.

We now have party primaries in March rather than May due to what should be known as the Incumbent Protection Act. The filing period is in November of the previous year when no one is thinking about politics. They're thinking about football and the coming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. This year's primary is on March 3, and early voting begins in just 16 days. Winter doesn't lend itself to campaigning. Again, that benefits incumbents.

Whether it's the inability to get items on the ballot or setting election day on a date when we're not paying attention, it's obvious that the folks in Little Rock don't........

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