Some South Arkansas voters received a text Friday morning from Harrell Wilson, who is running for State Senate District 1.

The text said:

ENDORSEMENT ALERT!  

 Christian Conservative Republican Harrell Wilson, candidate for Senate District 1, has been endorsed by five Southeast Arkansas conservative legislators. These include:    

Senator Gilmore said, “As the most recent State Senator for District 1, I am proud to endorse Harrell Wilson for State Senate. I have known Harrell for many years, and during that time, I have watched Harrell run a successful business with integrity and serve his community with faith and conviction.” 

The text continued: “Vote for someone who will strongly defend Southeast Arkansas and its conservative values. Vote Harrell Wilson for State Senate in the August 18th Republican primary election!”

This picture accompanied the text.

Soon after Wilson announced, he received endorsements from Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Attorney General Tim Griffin, and Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge

In fact, these endorsements promoted today via text occurred actually on July 1, according to a post on Wilson’s Facebook page.

In late June Gilmore announced his resignation as state senator to take a job with Griffin.

At the time, Griffin issued the following statement announcing the hiring of State Senator Ben Gilmore as Senior Advisor and other staff changes:

“I am pleased to announce that State Senator Ben Gilmore will join my office as Senior Advisor on July 1. Gilmore will resign from the Arkansas Senate and will continue to serve the state in this new role as a key part of my senior staff.

“Ben is a trusted friend and steadfast public servant. For the past five and a half years, he has served the constituents of southeast Arkansas in Senate District 1 with distinction and has sponsored key legislation that has made Arkansans safer, eased the tax burden on small businesses, and helped establish Arkansas as the most pro-life state in the country. He previously served as my Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director when I was Lieutenant Governor.

“Ben’s extensive experience dealing with numerous public policy issues at the state and federal level gives him unique insight and will be a force multiplier for the office. His good counsel as my Senior Advisor will be invaluable, and I am proud to add him to the team.

Sanders issued a proclamation about the special election.

The special election is Nov. 3, 2026 for State Senate District 1. A special primary election for all eligible political parties is set for Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

So far, no Democratic candidate has entered the race. Two Republicans have — Wilson and Missy Wardlaw.

Wilson lives in Staves in Cleveland County. He serves as president of the Cleveland County School Board and on the AgHeritage Board of Directors, according to a news release from his campaign.

He operates a family-owned hardwood sawmill and farms pine and hardwood timer. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). He also serves on the Camp Wyldewood Board, Arkansas Forestry Association Board, AFA Education Foundation Board and UAM Foundation Board and Board of Visitors.

Wilson’s family also hosts the law Wilson Brothers Lumber Co. annual Christmas Barbecue

Missy Wardlaw lives in Hermitage in Bradley County. Wardlaw ran in the spring for District 94 state representative, a position her husband Jeff Wardlaw held for years until he was term-limited at the end of this year.

During her race, she was sued by her opponent John Kyle Day who claimed Missy Wardlaw was ineligible because of a 2018 hot check case. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Cathleen Compton ruled Missy Wardlaw was eligible to run for office as did the Arkansas Supreme Court in a 6-1 ruling.

District 1 contains the entirety of the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, and Cleveland, as well as portions of Drew, Grant, Jefferson, and Lincoln.