John R. Cooper (born 1947), is a Republican politician from Jonesboro, Arkansas. He won a special election to fill a partial term in the Arkansas Senate in 2014, and was reelected in 2016. He lost his reelection bid in the Republican Primary in March 2020.
John R. Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office January 29, 2014 – January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Bookout |
| Succeeded by | Dan Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1947 (age 76–77) Heber Springs, Arkansas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Betty Sue |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Jonesboro, Arkansas |
| Occupation | Retired (AT&T); Primitive Baptist Minister |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Electoral history
edit2012 Arkansas House of Representatives
editCooper ran for the District 59 Arkansas House of Representatives in 2012 against Democrat Butch Wilkins. Wilkins defeated Cooper, but was term-limited in 2014.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Butch Wilkins | 4,390 | 53.7% | |
| Republican | John R. Cooper | 3,790 | 46.3% | |
| Democratic hold | ||||
2014 Arkansas Senate (special)
editCooper intended to run for the District 59 seat again in 2014, but rather entered a special election for District 21 in the Arkansas Senate following Paul Bookout's resignation in 2013 under an ethics cloud.[2] In the three- candidate Republican primary on October 8, 2013,[3] Cooper won the primary by 6 votes over Dan Sullivan, with Chad Niell in a distant third, but failed to obtain the 50% necessary to avoid a runoff election.[4] Cooper defeated Sullivan in the November 12, 2013 runoff by 67 votes.67 votes[5]
The general election pitted Cooper against Steven Eric Rockwell, who had emerged from a Democratic primary. Cooper carried the support of the Tea Party movement. Rockwell manages his family printing and publishing business in Jonesboro and called himself a "centrist" in the race.[6] Retiring Democratic Governor Mike Beebe cut ads for Rockwell.[7] The election quickly became centered on the Private Option, with Rockwell for and Cooper against. It was also closely watched as a bellwether for the November 2014 elections in Arkansas.[8][9]
Cooper won election on January 14, 2014, and was seated in the 89th Arkansas General Assembly. Cooper became the 23rd Republican in the 35-member Arkansas Senate, which had been 100 percent Democratic until 1969. In the campaign, Cooper said that he considers ethics reform and wasteful government spending among his legislative priorities.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John R. Cooper | 4,314 | 57.2 | |
| Democratic | Steven Eric Rockwell | 3,227 | 42.8 | |
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
2016 Arkansas Senate
editIn November 2016, Cooper won re-election to a full term in the Arkansas Senate unopposed in either the Republican primary or the general election.[11]
2020 Arkansas Senate
editCooper was primaried by House Rep. Dan Sullivan in March 2020.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Sullivan | 5,493 | 58.6 | |
| Republican | John R. Cooper | 3,883 | 41.4 | |
Sullivan went on to win the seat unopposed in November, and was seated in the 93rd Arkansas General Assembly.
References
edit- ^ a b Max Brantley (August 23, 2013). "Republican announces for Bookout Senate seat". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "Max Brantley, "Paul Bookout resigns from state Senate", August 20, 2013". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "Max Brantley, "Seven candidates file for state Senate seat from District 21", September 6, 2013". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "GOP, Dems headed to runoff for Ark. Senate seat". Associated Press. October 9, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Cooper awaits opponent in special Ark. senate race". Associated Press. November 14, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Max Brantley, Two candidates announce for open Senate seat in Jonesboro, August 26, 2013". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "Max Brantley, "The Republican victory in Jonesboro proves Obama's enduring value in Arkansas"". Arkansas Times. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "GOP candidate takes special election in NE Ark". Associated Press. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Moritz, Rob (January 15, 2014). "GOP: Win in Jonesboro bellwether for November general election". Pine Bluff Commercial. Pine Bluff. Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "State Senate 21 General Election January 14, 2014". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ Inman, Keith (October 24, 2019). "Ethics complaint against Cooper dismissed". The Sun. Jonesboro. OCLC 57673211. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "Sullivan defeats Cooper in District 21 State Senate race". Jonesboro: KAIT. March 3, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.