With more than half of the polling sites reported, the Rev. Glenn Barnes felt confident he would wrap up the Democratic nomination for District 65 state representative in a race against Kanisher Wooten Caldwell.
Results with early and absentee voting, as well as 17 of 33 polling sites reported were:
Barnes1,548
Caldwell864
“That’s a pretty good margin that I have,” Barnes said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Both were seeking their first political terms. Caldwell is a board-certified nurse practitioner, and Barnes is the pastor of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.
District 65 covers northern and western Pine Bluff, as well as eastern Jefferson County communities. Vivian Flowers decided not to run for reelection and instead to campaign for mayor of Pine Bluff. Flowers’ term will end in January 2025.
Should Barnes hold on for the win, he said he will educate himself on the elected role and lean on fellow State Rep. Ken Ferguson, D-Pine Bluff, for more information.
“I’ve served on the Jefferson County Economic Board for 13 years and in the Jefferson County Sixth Division Court as a probational officer, but I’ve been over community service and I’m a liaison. I’m concerned about our young people getting these assault weapons. When I say economic growth, I’m saying I want to attract new business but also help people get started and expand their own businesses.”
No Republican challengers filed. If no other candidates file as independents or members of another party, the election will be decided in the November General Election, with the winner sworn into office by Jan. 6, 2025.
Barnes