Gramlich and Peer Will Face Off in District 50

The candidates for Arkansas State Representative District 50 are preparing for a November 2026 election.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education

Gramlich and Peer Will Face Off in District 50

Live Poll

Should local candidates prioritize affordability as the top issue in your community?

Incumbent Republican Zach Gramlich and Democratic challenger Wendy Peer will compete for the Arkansas State Representative District 50 seat in November 2026. Both candidates currently work as teachers within Fort Smith Public Schools.

Why it matters

The race is shaped by a mutual focus on affordability, which both candidates have identified as the primary issue facing the southern half of Fort Smith. The outcome will contribute to the composition of the 100-member Arkansas state House.

The base salary for an Arkansas State Representative is $45,696 per year. The legislative body consists of 100 total members, currently split between 79 Republicans and 20 Democrats.

The players

Zach Gramlich

He is the incumbent Republican Arkansas State Representative for District 50 and works as a teacher in Fort Smith.

Wendy Peer

She is the Democratic challenger for the District 50 seat and a teacher in the local school district.

The details

Zach Gramlich, who is 33 years old, was first elected to the seat in 2022 and has served two terms. His opponent, 63-year-old Wendy Peer, brings eight years of experience serving on the Personnel Policy Committee for the local school district.

Zach Gramlich was first elected to the office in 2022.
Rep. Austin McCollum resigned from the position on August 5, 2026.
The election for the district seat will be held in November 2026.
Newly elected legislators will officially take office on the second Monday of January 2027.

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Healthcare
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Culture Shift

This election follows the state-mandated protocols for filling a legislative vacancy occurring between general sessions. It marks a transition in the local district representation following the resignation of the previous officeholder.

Residents in the southern half of Fort Smith will decide which candidate represents their interests regarding local affordability and state-level Medicaid policy. The elected representative will begin their two-year term at the start of the next legislative session in January 2027.

The takeaway

Voters should review the candidates' specific proposals for addressing regional affordability before casting their ballots in November. Understanding the legislative calendar is essential as the winner will immediately begin addressing changes to the Medicaid population in early 2027.