Sarah Huckabee Sanders — Republican Candidate for Governor in Arkansas, 2026

Sarah Huckabee Sanders supports strict immigration policies. She introduced Senate Bill 426 in Arkansas, which enhances penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. This legislation also expands the state's ban on sanctuary cities and mandates local law enforcement to assist federal immigration authorities in apprehending and deporting undocumented migrants. She has stated that "Violent criminal illegals have no place in Arkansas" and her administration will ensure they are held accountable.

““These crimes didn’t have to happen,” Sanders said. “Violent criminal illegals have no place in Arkansas. In this administration, we will make sure they are held accountable.” (Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Oklahoma Voice, March 18, 2025)”

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders supported certain GOP policies, which critics linked to health insurance rate increases. However, she later urged the rejection of proposed rate hikes by Centene and BlueCross, and her administration negotiated insurance rate increases down by 35.8%. She signed legislation to ban Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies, aiming to lower healthcare costs and increase access, and enacted laws mandating coverage for lung cancer screenings and deliveries in birthing centers.

““Healthcare costs are growing out of control, and Arkansans are fed up. As part of my administration’s broader strategy to expand access and lower costs, we were able to negotiate down planned increases, easing the burden on both beneficiaries and taxpayers,” said Governor Sanders. “More work remains, but this is a good starting point and shows that when we stand up to insurance companies, we can win tangible benefits for the people of our state.””

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 421 (SB 421), which referred a bond measure to the ballot. This measure proposes issuing up to $500 million for water-related infrastructure projects. These projects include water treatment, pollution abatement, irrigation, and wetlands restoration.

“Democrats and the media continue to attack me every step of the way, but I know who I am. (Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Facebook post, August 21, 2025)”

Sarah Huckabee Sanders opposes abortion and explicitly does not support exceptions for rape or incest in anti-abortion legislation. She affirmed Arkansas's "Most Pro-Life State" ranking by Americans United for Life, speaking at a press conference on the matter in October 2025. Additionally, a group connected to her, Stronger Arkansas, provided funding to oppose abortion amendments.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders supports increased federal aid for farmers and ranchers. She advocates for opening new international markets and developing long-term trade partnerships with other countries, noting the Taiwan MOU as a significant opportunity. Her reasoning is to diversify trading partners, especially given current trade dynamics with China, and to bolster local agricultural sectors.

“It opens up a lot of opportunity. We’ve traveled around the state, talking to our farmers and our ranchers, and the biggest thing that helps bolster them, they said — one of their biggest asks — was more federal aid. Thankfully, the president announced the $12 million at the end of the year. A lot of our row crop farmers will be direct recipients of that. The other big thing is that we have to open up new markets. We can’t continue to rely on the same trading partners that we’ve always had. They’re not buying as much. China has broken the system, so how do we open up and develop new long-term partnerships with other countries? [The Taiwan MOU] is, I think, a huge opportunity and something that I hope is the first of many different, new trading deals that will take place that [...] (Sanders, armoneyandpolitics.com, 2026)”

Sarah Huckabee Sanders prioritizes education reform through initiatives like the "Arkansas LEARNS" plan and the "Arkansas ACCESS" higher education bill. These aim to provide quality education, career readiness, and a better life for Arkansans. Key components include expanding technical training, improving literacy, enhancing school safety, offering free school breakfasts, and empowering parents with more choices. She also supported a bill banning personal electronic devices in public schools.

“I believe every child growing up in Arkansas should have access to a quality education, a good-paying job, and a better life right here in our state, and I believe Arkansas LEARNS is how together we will achieve it.” – Sarah Huckabee Sanders – Sarah for Governor Website.”

Research pending more substantial sources.