Rutledge, a former Republican National Committee lawyer, will face Democratic state Rep. Nate Steel of Nashville and Libertarian Aaron Cash of Springdale in the November general election. Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is prevented by term limits from seeking a third term.
As of 10:35 p.m., with 63 of 75 counties reporting, the secretary of state’s office said Rutledge had received 59 percent of the vote and Sterling had received 41 percent.
In a victory speech to her supporters at the Clarion Hotel in Little Rock, Rutledge said she won despite being outspent by out-of-state groups in the primary and the runoff. The groups, American Future Fund and Judicial Crisis Network, paid for television ads criticizing Rutledge for not advocating a “Stand Your Ground” law.
“I think Arkansans sent a very strong message tonight, that Arkansas is not for sale,” Rutledge said. “And as attorney general, I want you all to know that I will always stand my ground to protect Arkansas.”
