In Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders sweeps the GOP primary for governor

Arkansas GOP primary candidate for governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaks to a crowd of supporters on Sept. 6, 2021, in Benton, Ark., her first campaign appearance after announcing her candidacy.

Michael Hibblen / Michael Hibblen

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Primaries across the country this year are being seen as a test of former President Donald Trump’s influence on voters and the Republican Party, but in solidly red Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ victory in the GOP primary for governor was no surprise.

At 39, Sanders ran an unprecedented campaign for the job once held by her father, former Gov. Mike Huckabee. Boosted by an early endorsement from Trump and a record-breaking $14 million campaign war chest, Sanders cruised to an easy victory Tuesday night over former talk radio host Francis “Doc” Washburn.

If victorious in November, Sanders would be the first woman elected to the post in Arkansas.