Sarah Huckabee Sanders Elected First Female Governor of Arkansas
Former White House Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been elected governor of Arkansas, making her the first female governor in the state.
Sanders, the daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, won against Democratic nominee Chris Jones, an ordained Baptist minister and nuclear engineer, Tuesday night.
“At the end of the day, this campaign was never about me, it was about each of you,” Sanders said in her acceptance speech, according to THV11.
“It was about all of the people across the state of Arkansas, the people who showed up at our
events, the people who made calls, the people who knocked on doors and, frankly, even the people who did not vote for me.”
“This election is about taking Arkansas to the top. I know that Arkansas can be first, and I’m committed to being the leader that takes us there,” she added.
Not only is Sanders set to become the first female governor of Arkansas, but state Attorney General Leslie Ruthledge is also the first female to be elected as Lieutenant General.
“Historic night electing 1st woman Gov of AR & 1st ever father/daughter to hold the office. W/
@LeslieRutledge as LtGov, 1st time in US that both Gov and Lt. Gov are women,” Mike Huckabee tweeted.
Was a pretty special night! @SarahHuckabee wins in landslide. Historic night electing 1st woman Gov of AR & 1st ever father/daughter to hold the office. W/ @LeslieRutledge as LtGov, 1st time in US that both Gov and LtGov are women. https://t.co/AP2DTlFEQQ
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 9, 2022
According to the Associated Press, Sanders’ predecessor, incumbent Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, will leave office come January 2023 due to term limits. Hutchinson, who endorsed Sanders, is reportedly considering running for president in 2024.
She also had the support of former President Donald Trump, who first encouraged her to run for governor in her home state after she left the White House in 2019 following two years of working as Press Secretary.
Sanders previously worked on her father’s campaigns and appeared in ads on his behalf. She also managed Sen. John Boozman’s 2010 election and served as an adviser to Sen. Tom Cotton in 2014.
During the campaign trail, Sanders underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer after she was diagnosed with the disease in September.
“Today, I underwent a successful surgery to remove my thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes, and by the grace of God, I am now cancer-free,” she said at the time. “I want to thank the Arkansas doctors and nurses for their world-class care, as well as my family and friends for their love, prayers, and support.”
Related:
‘I Am Now Cancer-Free’: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Undergoes Surgery for Thyroid Cancer
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Drew Angerer/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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