Paris, AR –Ted Tritt is announcing his intention to run for the Arkansas State Senate District 26 seat Special Election in the Republican Primary. This was the seat held by the late Senator Garry Stubblefield, who passed away on September 2, 2025. The district covers portions of Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Sebastian Counties.
When asked why now, and why this race, Mr. Tritt remarked that “I have had many people reach out to me asking that I run for the State Senate seat, rather than State Representative. After much thought and consideration, I decided to do so. My goals are the same: to work hard to be a voice for the people and to work with other members of the Legislature to help the State of Arkansas. I look forward to visiting with people across the district, asking for their vote and support, as well as learning about issues that are important to them.”
Tritt was born in Ozark, Franklin County, and raised in Logan County, where he still owns the family homeplace. As a young man, he worked for local farmers in a variety of roles, but most enjoyed spending part of each summer in Cross County, helping relatives plant row crops. In 1979, he began his career in the oil industry with a Gulf Oil Company distributor, managing commercial, retail, and wholesale accounts. He later became Operator and Manager of the Paris branch of Littlefield Oil Company.
In 1987, while continuing to run the fuel business, Tritt and his family launched several private ventures. Over time, they built and operated a fuel station and service center and a hardware and farm supply store. After selling these businesses and with his children grown, Tritt returned full-time to the fuel industry, where he spent the next two decades working across the Southeast United States and in Caribbean markets.
“District 26 has always been home and is my home. I would be honored to represent our communities in the State Legislature,” Tritt said. “With my business and civic background, I have the experience to be an effective Senator. Everyone deserves to be heard. That is the job. I want to bring people together to strengthen our economy, protect our hospitals, and create opportunities so that families don’t have to leave home to find good jobs. My goal is never to lose focus on the quality of life that our families enjoy.”
Tritt has been deeply involved in his community for many years. He served as Board Chair of the North Logan County Chamber of Commerce and chaired its Industrial and Business Development Committee. He completed Leadership Logan County as well as a Community and Economic Development Leadership program at the University of Arkansas. Working alongside leaders like Rep. Frank Willems, Lloyd George, and Charlie Selman, he helped make Mount Magazine State Park a reality.
Tritt also served as Chair of the Arkansas River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) and was a founding board member of Helping Hands. His commitment to service extends to volunteering with Make-A-Wish and Special Olympics. In 2000, he hosted a business delegation exchange from Ukraine, strengthening ties between Arkansas and international partners.
During his campaign, Ted Tritt will work to protect the needs and desires of local stakeholders by committing to voting no to the current Franklin County Prison site, while also committing to finding needed solutions to our current Department of Corrections (DoC) challenges. His policies will grow industries and strengthen local economies so people can work and prosper here at home. Part of that growth will be an emphasis on expanding traditional and vocational training to meet workforce needs. Protecting rural hospitals and addressing rising insurance costs are also at the heart of his plans. Along with that, improving and strengthening access to mental health services across the state is a priority. With these goals in mind, Ted Tritt is deeply committed to strengthening communities across Franklin, Logan, Scott, and Sebastian counties.
“I look forward to visiting with people across the district, asking for their vote and support, and learning about the issues that matter most to them,” Tritt said. “This campaign is about service, responsibility, and a shared commitment to the future of our home.”
