2 candidates are tracked for Arkansas House District 53, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Jennifer Lewter and Matt Duffield. Candidate information follows official Pope County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Jennifer Lewter (Democratic), Matt Duffield (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Arkansas House District 53. Matt Duffield is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3, 2026 primary (March 31 runoff where needed), per the Secretary of State.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Matt Duffield, is on the ballot.
Arkansas › Pope County › Arkansas House District 53
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Jennifer Lewter, of Russellville, says she is running for the Arkansas House to protect public school funding and food-assistance programs after federal funding cuts, per the campaign site.
Republican Incumbent
Matt Duffield is a business owner and former professional wrestler who performed as Matt Riviera, per arkansashouse.org. He is serving his second term in the Arkansas House, representing District 53 from Russellville, per arkansashouse.org.
Who is running for Arkansas House District 53 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Arkansas House District 53, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Jennifer Lewter and Matt Duffield. Candidate information follows official Pope County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Arkansas House District 53 election in Arkansas?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Arkansas are on the Arkansas election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Pope County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Pope County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Arkansas election office, or see the full Pope County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
25 tracked races in Pope County, Arkansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.