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Russell wins 4th District Democratic primary, will face GOP’s Westerman in November
WASHINGTON -- Mental health advocate James Russell III won Arkansas' 4th Congressional District Democratic primary on Tuesday, putting him in a matchup this fall against Republican incumbent Bruce Westerman.
Russell's victory Tuesday came months after the Little Rock resident ended his Senate bid to run for the House of Representatives. Russell beat Steve O'Donnell, of Hot Springs, in Tuesday's primary.
"It's still settling in," Russell told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Wednesday.
"Getting the Democratic nomination for a federal seat, it's finally hitting home that this is not something that everyone is going to experience at some point in their life," he continued. "The rarity of the situation is settling in."
With an estimated 99% of the votes counted, unofficial returns were:
Russell;13,228
O'Donnell;11,740
Russell credited name recognition for his primary victory. Before his Senate campaign, he was a gubernatorial candidate in 2022. Russell lost the Democratic primary to Chris Jones, who will represent Democrats this fall in Arkansas' 2nd District contest.
"I think that's a factor that has to be acknowledged," Russell said.
Russell does not live in the 4th District, but rather the 2nd District. In an interview last month with the Democrat-Gazette, Russell explained he has familial ties to the 4th District, adding there were no candidates "showing up for the 4th District" when he launched his House campaign.
Westerman, of Hot Springs, did not have a Republican primary opponent. The six-term congressman is currently in his fourth year chairing the House Natural Resources Committee.
"I don't think this is going to be something that's won with just text blasts or massive mailouts," Russell said.
"My vision and my strategy moving forward is to utilize messaging very strategically," he explained. "It is to hold in-person events in local areas where the communities are underrepresented."
Two other Arkansas House members -- Republicans Rick Crawford of Jonesboro and Steve Womack of Rogers -- also ran unopposed in their primaries. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock soundly defeated consultant Chase McDowell in the 2nd District Republican primary.