The 2014 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Arkansas, concurrently with the election to Arkansas's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. This was the last time the Arkansas governor's changed partisan control.

Incumbent Governor Mike Beebe was ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits established by the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas is one of 9 states that limits its governors to two terms for life. Democrats nominated former U.S. representative Mike Ross and Republicans nominated former DEA Administrator, former U.S. representative and 2006 Arkansas gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson. This was the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in a state that Mitt Romney won in the 2012 presidential election.

Hutchinson won the general election by the largest margin recorded for a Republican in an open-seat gubernatorial race since Reconstruction, a record held until 2022. The race was called for Hutchinson roughly half an hour after the polls closed; his victory gave Republicans complete control of state government for the first time since 1874.

As of the 2022 gubernatorial election, this is the last time where the following counties voted Democratic: Ashley, Bradley, Clark, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Mississippi, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, and Woodruff.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee Mike Ross, former U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

Lynette "Doc" Bryant, activist

Withdrew Bill Halter, former lieutenant governor of Arkansas and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 (endorsed Ross) Dustin McDaniel, Arkansas Attorney General

Declined Shane Broadway, interim director of the Department of Higher Education and former state senator John Burkhalter, former State Highway Commissioner (running for Lieutenant Governor) Conner Eldridge, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas G. David Gearhart, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Pat Hays, former mayor of North Little Rock (running for U.S. House) Keith Ingram, state senator (endorsed Ross) Bruce Maloch, state senator Michael Malone, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council Vic Snyder, former U.S. representative Paul Suskie, former chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission and candidate for Attorney General of Arkansas in 2006 Chris Thomason, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope and former state representative Robert F. Thompson, state senator (endorsed Ross) Darrin Williams, state representative, former speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillHalter MikeRoss UndecidedClark ResearchClark Research July 23–27, 2013 370 ± 5% 26% 40% 34%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee Asa Hutchinson, former administrator of the DEA, former U.S. representative, nominee for U.S. Senate in 1986 and nominee for governor in 2006

Eliminated in primary Curtis Coleman, founder of a food safety company and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010

Withdrew Debra Hobbs, state representative (running for Lieutenant Governor)

Declined Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Tom Cotton, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 4th congressional district (2013–2015) (running for the U.S. Senate) Rick Crawford, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 1st congressional district (2011–present) Mark Darr, former lieutenant governor of Arkansas G. David Gearhart, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Tim Griffin, U.S. representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district (2011–2015) (running for Lieutenant Governor) Missy Irvin, state senator Jim Keet, former state senator and nominee for governor in 2010 Johnny Key, state senator Mark Martin, Secretary of State of Arkansas (running for re-election) Sheffield Nelson, businessman and nominee for governor in 1990 and 1994 Steve Womack, U.S. representative Arkansas's 3rd congressional district (2011–present)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror CurtisColeman AsaHutchinson UndecidedTalk Business/Hendrix CollegeTalk Business/Hendrix College April 29, 2014 1,516 ± 2.5% 20% 70% 10%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 342 ± 5.3% 23% 62% 15%

Results

Third parties

Candidates

Declared Josh Drake (Green), attorney and nominee for Arkansas's 4th congressional district in 2008, 2010 and 2012 Frank Gilbert (Libertarian), DeKalb Township Constable, former mayor of Tull and nominee for the state senate in 2012

Declined Sheffield Nelson (Independent), businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 1990 and 1994

General election

Debates Complete video of debate, September 19, 2014 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 7, 2014 - C-SPAN

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Inside Elections November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeRoss (D) Asa Other UndecidedOpinion Research AssociatesOpinion Research Associates October 30–November 1, 2014 400 ± 5% 43% 39% 5%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2% 14%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 41% 51% 4%Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2% 4% 44% 53% — 3%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 27–29, 2014 967 ± 3% 43% 50% 3% 4%Issues & Answers NetworkIssues & Answers Network October 21–27, 2014 568 ± 4.1% 39% 50% — 11%Opinion Research AssociatesOpinion Research Associates October 25–26, 2014 401 ± 5% 44% 42% 2%Josh Drake (G) 1%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2% 11%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 1,567 ± 4% 38% 47% 0% 15%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist October 19–23, 2014 621 ± 3.9% 44% 47% 4%Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%, Other <1% 5% 971 ± 3.1% 44% 43% 5%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 2%, Other <1% 8%Hendrix PollHendrix Poll October 15–16, 2014 2,075 ± 2.2% 41% 49% 5% 6%Rasmussen Reports October 13–15, 2014 940 ± 3% 47% 49% 1% 3%Fox NewsFox News October 4–7, 2014 707 ± 3.5% 37% 46% 5%Josh Drake (G) 1%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%, Other 1% 12%Opinion Research AssociatesOpinion Research Associates October 1–5, 2014 400 ± 5% 45% 41% 3% 11%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20–October 1, 2014 1,991 ± 2% 38% 49% 1% 12%Rasmussen Reports September 24–25, 2014 750 ± 4% 42% 46% 4% 8%SuffolkSuffolk September 20–23, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 41% 43% 5% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 38% 44% 5%Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3% 13% 40% 46% — 14%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing September 8–11, 2014 902 ± 4% 42% 46% 2%Frank Gilbert (L) 10%Answers UnlimitedAnswers Unlimited September 7–9, 2014 600 ± 3.5% 44% 44% 4% 8%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18–September 2, 2014 1,572 ± 3% 38% 45% 1% 15%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist September 2–4, 2014 639 LV ± 3.9% 39% 48% 6%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3%, Other <1% 7% 1,068 RV ± 3% 39% 46% 7%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 4%, Other <1% 8%Rasmussen Reports August 25–26, 2014 750 ± 4% 46% 44% 3% 7%Opinion Research AssociatesOpinion Research Associates August 6–14, 2014 414 ± 4.9% 44% 44% 3%Josh Drake (G) 2%, Frank Gilbert (L) 1% 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 38% 43% 7%Josh Drake (G) 4%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3% 12% 40% 46% — 14%Talk Business/Hendrix CollegeTalk Business/Hendrix College July 22–25, 2014 1,780 ± 2.3% 41% 46% 6%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 3% 7.5%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 1,616 ± 3.5% 45% 48% 2% 4%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing July 7–8, 2014 987 ± 3% 46% 49% 5% —Public Opinion StrategiesPublic Opinion Strategies May 27–29, 2014 500 ± 4.39% 42% 48% — 10%Rasmussen Reports May 27–28, 2014 750 ± 4% 41% 48% 4% 6%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist April 30–May 4, 2014 876 ± 3.3% 42% 49% 2% 7%Public Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 840 ± 3.4% 38% 46% — 16%New York Times/Kaiser FamilyNew York Times/Kaiser Family April 8–15, 2014 857 ± ? 40% 41% 4% 16%Opinion Research AssociatesOpinion Research Associates April 1–8, 2014 400 ± 5% 45% 39% — 17%Talk Business/Hendrix CollegeTalk Business/Hendrix College April 3–4, 2014 1,068 ± 3% 44% 43% 5% 8%Impact Management GroupImpact Management Group February 10, 2014 1,202 ± 2.83% 42% 42% — 17%Rasmussen Reports February 4–5, 2014 500 ± 4.5% 44% 41% 3% 12%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 13–15, 2013 1,004 ± 3.1% 43% 44% — 14%Impact Management GroupImpact Management Group October 24, 2013 911 ± 3.2% 37% 40% — 23%University of ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas October 10–17, 2013 800 ± 3.5% 30% 32% — 38%Talk Business/Hendrix CollegeTalk Business/Hendrix College October 8, 2013 603 ± 4.% 37% 41% — 22%Harper PollingHarper Polling August 4–5, 2013 587 ± 4.04% 38% 46% — 16%Talk Business/Hendrix CollegeTalk Business/Hendrix College February 20, 2013 675 ± 3.8% 38% 43% — 19%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LynetteBryant (D) AsaHutchinson (R) Other UndecidedTalk Business/Hendrix College April 3–4, 2014 1,068 ± 3% 27.5% 48% 8%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 5% 17%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillHalter (D) AsaHutchinson (R) Other UndecidedTalk Business/Hendrix College February 20, 2013 675 ± 3.8% 31% 47% — 22%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DustinMcDaniel (D) AsaHutchinson (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 10–13, 2013 600 ± 4.0% 33% 46% — 22%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeRoss (D) CurtisColeman (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 840 ± 3.4% 43% 33% — 24%Talk Business/Hendrix College April 3–4, 2014 1,068 ± 3% 48% 30% 7%Josh Drake (G) 3%, Frank Gilbert (L) 4% 15%

Results

By county