NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Youth won Tuesday in a state Senate race between two established Republican legislators.
Jon Woods, a term-limited state representative, beat Bill Pritchard, the incumbent, in a highly contested and expensive campaign.
With all precincts reporting, Woods had 2,784 votes (52 percent) to Pritchard’s 2,614 (48 percent) in final, but unofficial, results.
“It was the people who wanted a change, the people who worked for me and the ones who voted. It’s their victory,” Woods said.
Woods will face Democrat Diana Gonzales Worthen in the November general election.
Pritchard, R-Elkins, was trying for his third term as a senator. He was first elected to the state senate in 2006 after becoming term-limited following his completion of three terms as a representative. He was re-elected in 2010 after serving a four-year term. All senate seats come up for election in 2012, since the size of senate districts are readjusted after each U.S. Census.
Woods, R-Springdale, also served three terms as a representative and was not eligible for re-election to the House.
Woods, 34, said he was the more conservative of the two Republican candidates and more dedicated to opposing illegal immigration and tax increases. Woods hammered on Pritchard’s record, saying he voted for $559 million in tax increases.
Woods signed a “no new taxes” pledge first, with Pritchard signing the pledge later.
Pritchard, 68, ran on his legislative experience and a longer, proven record of conservative votes, better representation of business and his standing in the Senate to advance those causes more effectively. He called Woods’ figures misleading and said he voted for millions of dollars in tax cuts.
The men took shots at each other over their campaign contributions. Woods criticized a contribution to Pritchard from Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, a dog track that also offers casino games.
Pritchard criticized Woods’ contribution from trial lawyers, saying he would side with attorneys instead of the business community on tort reform.
The candidates combined to raise more than $100,000 in contributions.
Pritchard noted that if he returned to the senate, he would be in line to become chairman of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, which oversees legislation vital to conservative causes such as health care and abortion. Woods served as vice chairman of the House Public Heath, Welfare and Labor Committee. He said the leader of a committee is less important to voters than what their legislator stands for.
The district, which changed its boundaries due to redistricting following the 2010 U.S. Census, includes Springdale, Tontitown, Elkins and much of eastern Washington County.