Bryant Named Arkansas Senate President Pro Tempore Designee
Senators selected Joshua Bryant after no candidate reached the 18 votes needed in initial nomination ballots.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy
The Arkansas Senate chose Sen. Joshua Bryant as President pro tempore designee for the 96th General Assembly during its organizational meeting. No candidate received the 18 votes needed in the initial nomination votes, so nominations were ended and reopened before Sen. Scott Flippo nominated Bryant.
Why it matters
The designee role determines who presides over the state Senate when the lieutenant governor is absent, giving the chamber's leadership a direct role in managing legislative business. Bryant said he hopes to work with the House and the governor's office to advance policy.
The nomination required 18 votes, and no candidate reached that number on the initial ballots, which led senators to reopen nominations. The source does not report the vote tallies for the earlier rounds or the final count for Bryant.
The players
Joshua Bryant
Arkansas state senator who was named President pro tempore designee for the 96th General Assembly.
Scott Flippo
Arkansas state senator who nominated Joshua Bryant for the President pro tempore designee position.
The details
Senators held the Senate's organizational meeting for the 96th General Assembly. After the initial votes failed to produce an 18-vote winner, Sen. Tyler Dees moved to end the current nominations and reopen them, and Sen. Ron Caldwell moved to close nominations once Flippo put Bryant forward. Senators approved the motion to close nominations, and Bryant was named the designee.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Arkansas Senate holds its organizational meeting and begins the nomination process.
November 6, 2026: Joshua Bryant is named President pro tempore designee.
Legislative Policy Context
The President pro tempore designation follows the Arkansas Constitution's framework for Senate leadership when a new General Assembly convenes. The chamber's nomination rules required an 18-vote threshold, which shaped the reopening of nominations in this session's organizational meeting.
The designee's role determines who presides over the state Senate when the lieutenant governor is absent, which affects how floor sessions run. Bryant's stated goal of working with the House and governor's office could shape which policy priorities move forward this session.
The takeaway
Leadership selections in the state Senate set the agenda for the session ahead, so the outcome of this vote is worth tracking as bills begin to move. Watching how the designee works with the House and governor's office will show whether early cooperation translates into policy.
Further reading
For more on how state lawmakers shape policy, see Legislative Policy coverage.
