By Jackson Floyd

Senior Reporter

Two incumbent members of the Bentonville City Council were re-elected in Tuesday’s balloting. Bentonville council members represent specific wards within the city, but all voters from within the city limits vote on the council members.

Unofficial election results showed two candidates holding onto their current seats.

Ward 3, Position 2

Incumbent W.P. “Bill” Burckart faced challenger Sara Folkins for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat. Burckart received 10,081 votes or 56.11% of the vote to Folkins’ 7,884 or 43.89% of the vote. Burckart has served on the city council for 16 years.

Ward 4, Position 2

Incumbent Holly Hook received 10,277 votes or 57.59% in Tuesday’s balloting. Challenger Jocelyn Lampkin received 5,097 votes or 28.56%. Nick Slagle’s name also appeared on the ballot as a candidate, but he had tried to drop out of the race after the ballot had been set, and he did not actively campaign. Hook has served on the city council since January 2021.

Unopposed candidates who were re-elected included:

Ward 1, Position 2

  • Gayatri Agnew, who first began serving on the council in January 2021.

Ward 2, Position 2

  • Chris Sooter, who will be serving his 11th term on the city council.

Folkins’ spouse was among those holding up signs Tuesday outside one of the polling places in Benton County. Benton County had 37 voting centers open on election day, and campaigns had representatives outside many of the locations following appropriate election regulations about distancing and location.

Samantha McClain, former Eagle View editor-in-chief and managing editor, contributed to this report.