Recount In AR Race Reverses Result
Eyewitness News. June 20, 2006

A recount in the June 13th runoff for the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat in eastern Arkansas has produced a new winner.

Results in the Senate District 16 originally showed Representative Arnell Willis of Helena-West Helena defeating Earle School Superintendent Jack Crumbly by 28 votes. However, a recount in St. Francis County on Monday gave Crumbly 100 more votes, making him the winner.

Election officials had said earlier that a tabulation error had resulted in 100 fewer votes being counted for Crumbly. St. Francis County Election Commission Chairman Frederick Freeman apologized to the candidates.

Arnell Willis had pledged to sue. However his lawyer now says his client has yet to decide whether to file a lawsuit.

District 16 covers parts of Crittenden, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis counties.