Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Gurdon Mayor Election 2026
1 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 2 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Early voting ends (Nov 2): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Voters citywide choose one mayor from two candidates. The only council filing, Kendra Golden for Ward 5, is unopposed.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders · Republican
- Colt Shelby · Libertarian
- State Senator Fred Love · Democratic
- U.S. Senate
- Hallie Shoffner · Democratic
- Senator Tom Cotton · Republican
- Jeff Wadlin · Libertarian
- Also statewideLieutenant Governor · Attorney General · Secretary of State · State Treasurer · Auditor of State · Commissioner of State Lands
- Statewide measures4 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Police and the city marshal5 sourced facts
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council passed on first reading an ordinance to make the elected city marshal an appointed position; it needs two more readings.
What's on the tableWhether Gurdon keeps an elected marshal or has the mayor appoint one, and how the city pays for police coverage.
- In September 2025 the state suspended certification for six Gurdon police officers, including the elected city marshal, for lack of continuing training. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · Sep 24, 2025
- After the suspensions, the Clark County Sheriff's Office began providing law enforcement in Gurdon. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · Sep 24, 2025
- An agreement between the city and the county was drawn up to set the prices for fuel and other expenses the county uses to patrol the city. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · Oct 6, 2025
- Under the proposed ordinance, the mayor would select or remove the marshal, and the council could override that by a two-thirds vote. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · May 18, 2026
- The ordinance, if passed, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · May 18, 2026
02Water and sewer system3 sourced facts
Where it standsGurdon's water and sewer works took in $1,009,373 in operating revenue in 2024 and ended the year with net income of $153,685.
What's on the tableHow the city sets water and sewer rates and pays for upkeep of the system.
- Water revenue was $579,229 and sewer revenue was $337,226 in 2024. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 22, 2026
- Operating expenses of the water and sewer works were $851,302 in 2024. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 22, 2026
- The water and sewer works transferred $81,317 to the City of Gurdon in 2024. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 22, 2026
3 notes on these statements
The county clerk's final filing list names Billy Tarpley and Thomas Free as candidates for Gurdon mayor. Arkadelphian · Aug 21, 2026
Kendra Golden was the only candidate to file for Gurdon City Council, Ward 5. Arkadelphian · Aug 21, 2026
John Thomas Free and Billy Tarpley are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot for Gurdon mayor. Ballotpedia · Sep 18, 2026
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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. Should Gurdon's city marshal be elected by voters or appointed?
Key dates
- Voter registration deadlineArkansas Advocate via Arkadelphian · Oct 19, 2026Oct 5, 2026
- Early voting beginsArkansas Advocate via Arkadelphian · Oct 19, 2026Oct 19, 2026
- Early voting endsArkansas Advocate via Arkadelphian · Oct 19, 2026Nov 2, 2026
- Election dayArkansas Advocate via Arkadelphian · Oct 19, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
1 stay (not up this year): Kendra Golden1 on this ballot
5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Gurdon elects its mayor to a four-year term; Mayor Larry Thomerson's term expires Dec. 31, 2026. Arkadelphian · Sep 26, 2025
- Gurdon council members are elected by ward to two-year terms. Arkadelphian · Sep 26, 2025
- Gurdon's city marshal is an elected official, so the mayor does not directly supervise the police department. The Southern Standard via Arkadelphian · Sep 24, 2025
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