Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Forrest City Mayor & Council Election 2026

2 of 8

council seats up

2 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Lowry AstinRetired Arkansas State Police trooper and Forrest City native. He said he has served five years on the Forrest City City Council.4sourced
D'Mari CurneFiled as a candidate for Forrest City mayor in August 2026.1sourced
Kendall PettusLifelong Forrest City resident. He said he currently serves as code enforcement officer.3sourced
Cedric WilliamsState Farm agent in Forrest City and a former Forrest City mayor. He has worked with State Farm Insurance for more than 31 years.5sourced

City Council Ward 4 Position 1 · 1 seat

Voters choose the mayor and fill the Ward 4, Position 1 council seat. The Ward 1, 2 and 3 Position 1 incumbents are unopposed for re-election.

2 notes on these statements

D'Mari Curne did not take part in the September 3 mayoral forum hosted by the Times-Herald; the paper reported that D'Mari Curne was unable to attend due to illness. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

Lowry Astin held the Ward 4, Position 1 council seat before filing for mayor, which left that seat open. Times-Herald · Aug 5, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Robert B. AstinCouncilmember, Ward 3, Position 2bio only Jim Bailey Jr.Councilmember for Ward 1, Position 1 on the Forrest City City Council.bio only Louise FieldsCouncilmember, Ward 2, Position 2bio only Ricky HironsCouncilmember, Ward 4, Position 2bio only Marvin MetcalfCouncilmember, Ward 1, Position 2bio only Justin ReevesCouncilmember for Ward 3, Position 1 on the Forrest City City Council.bio only Cornescha WrightCouncilmember for Ward 2, Position 1 on the Forrest City City Council.bio only

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWater and sewer lines, I-40 cloverleaf lighting, Dilapidated structures Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Water and sewer lines

Where it standsCandidates for mayor said at a September forum that the city's water and sewer infrastructure is at the top of their priorities.

What's on the tableHow the city plans and pays for replacing aging water lines and fixing leaks.

The candidates agreed that water and sewer infrastructure and the I-40 cloverleaf lighting are top priorities but cannot be improved without additional funding and support from the community. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026
The candidates agreed that water leaks across the city have to be addressed along with aging infrastructure. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

I-40 cloverleaf lighting

Where it standsNew LED lighting was recently installed at the cloverleaf, and candidates said more work remains.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city finds money and partners to finish lighting the interchange.

Pettus said the city has an all-or-none agreement with the Highway Department, so every light must be fixed or none can be. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026
Williams said the 2021 bond issue provided $294,000 for the cloverleaf lighting and that the money was spent to replace the electrical lines for the poles. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

Dilapidated structures

Where it standsCandidates for mayor said cleaning up the city is a priority.

What's on the tableHow much staff and money the city puts into demolishing and cleaning up neglected buildings.

Pettus said the code enforcement office has completed nearly 50 demolitions of dilapidated structures in the past year and a half. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026
Williams said the city needs to remove more dilapidated structures. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

Growth and housing

Where it standsWilliams proposed a land bank and said the city could benefit from the Google project in West Memphis.

What's on the tableHow the city prepares for new industry and housing.

Williams said he proposes a land bank and working with economic developers to build housing in Forrest City. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026
Astin said his first-year goals include recruiting industries and businesses. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

Police and fire

Where it standsCandidates for mayor gave differing views on whether police need more resources.

What's on the tablePolice and fire budgets and leadership under the next mayor.

Pettus said the police need more equipment and more manpower. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026
Astin said the police and fire departments are each doing good jobs. Times-Herald · Sep 10, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. What role should the city play in getting more housing built?
2. How should the city finish lighting the I-40 cloverleaf?
3. What should the city do about police staffing and equipment?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early voting beginsArkansas Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election dayArkansas Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026

The seat math

7 stay (not up this year): Robert B. Astin, Jim Bailey Jr., Louise Fields, Ricky Hirons, Marvin Metcalf, Justin Reeves, Cornescha Wright2 on this ballot

8 council seats. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

Forrest City has a Mayor/Council form of government. City of Forrest City
Two council members are elected by the voters of each of the city's four wards, and each serves a four-year term. City of Forrest City

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.