Arkansas Senate hearings begin tomorrow on disputed 2006 runoff

The Arkansas Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will convene tomorrow to settle an election dispute arising from the 2006 runoff for Senate District 16 (agenda here). This will be the first of any such action in Arkansas legislative history.

Arnell Willis (D-Helena) filed a lawsuit challenging election results from the 2006 Democratic primary runoff after initial results showed him to be the winner in that race. After a recount, Jack Crumbly was declared the winner, and he was sworn in last year and served in the 86th General Assembly. The lawsuit alleges claims of election fraud in the St. Francis County portion of the district.

A trial court recently ruled that the Legislature, not the courts, should decide who is the seat's proper occupant. After the Senate committee hears all of the evidence, it will make a recommendation to the full 35-member Senate body. Removing a sitting senator requires a 2/3 vote of the Senate. Here's more from the Associated Press, and here are a couple of previous blog postings:

2/14/08: Ark. Senate to hold hearings on '06 SD16 runoff election
12/4/07: New judge to hear case over election dispute