Arkansas State Representative ARRESTED On Domestic Violence Charges

Republican Arkansas state Rep. Austin McCollum was arrested on Saturday following a domestic violence incident.

He is facing multiple charges, including domestic battery, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment.

Take a look at his mugshot:

TBP: Arkansas State Rep. Austin McCollum arrested on domestic battering charges; calls for resignation roll

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the Republican candidate for Benton County Judge this fall, was arrested Saturday on charges of 3rd degree domestic battering, a class… pic.twitter.com/iWvWEO7s6e

— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) August 1, 2026

TBP: Arkansas State Rep. Austin McCollum arrested on domestic battering charges; calls for resignation roll

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the Republican candidate for Benton County Judge this fall, was arrested Saturday on charges of 3rd degree domestic battering, a class A misdemeanor.

The Benton County Sheriff’s office also notes McCollum is charged with false imprisonment – 1st degree and aggravated assault on a family/household member.

In addition to serving in the Arkansas House, Rep. McCollum is running as the Republican candidate for Benton County judge.

KATV reported:

According to Benton County jail records, McCollum was booked Aug. 1 on charges of first-degree false imprisonment, aggravated assault on a family or household member, and third-degree domestic battery. As of Saturday, he was being held without bond.

McCollum won the Republican primary in March and is scheduled to face independent candidate Taylor Sizemore in the November election.

But, following the shocking arrest, he is facing calls from within his own party to drop out of the race.

For example, Gov. Sarah Sanders, who originally gave Rep. McCollum her endorsement, released this statement:

pic.twitter.com/As15SQbgPw

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) August 1, 2026

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported further on the reactions from fellow Republicans:

Several prominent Republicans who had previously endorsed McCollum in the county judge’s race withdrew their support Saturday.

“The allegations against Representative McCollum are appalling, and I’m praying for his wife and children,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “I absolutely condemn violence of any form, and if these credible, sickening allegations are accurate, I call on him to immediately resign his office and drop out of the race for county judge.”

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., echoed that sentiment, saying, “if accurate, I urge him to resign from the House and end his campaign for county judge.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., took to social media site X to say perpetrators of domestic violence must be held accountable and calling the accusations against McCollum serious enough to warrant his immediate resignation from the county judge’s race.

“Selection of the next CEO of Benton County should be accomplished free of unnecessary distractions,” Womack wrote.

Barbara Tillman, chairman of the Republican Party of Benton County, said in an emailed statement the accusations against McCollum were “deeply troubling.”

“Domestic violence has no place in our homes, our communities, or especially among those entrusted with public office,” the statement says. “While every individual is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence in our legal system, the public also has the right to expect the highest standards of character and conduct from its elected leaders.”

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House Speaker Brian Evans, R-Cabot, said in light of the accusations and pending criminal charges against McCollum that he was immediately removing McCollum from all House leadership positions, including his committee vice-chairmanship, and stripping him of all House membership privileges and benefits associated with those positions.

“Domestic violence is a serious offense that shatters families, harms victims, and erodes the trust that public servants are expected to uphold,” Evans said. “Every allegation of abuse must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. I am praying for everyone affected by these events, especially the family involved, and that justice will be determined through the legal process.”

Evans said McCollum should resign from the Legislature, “or I will convene the House to take the necessary actions.”

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge announced Saturday she was withdrawing her endorsement of McCollum and calling on him to resign as well.

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“He should resign his seat in the House of Representatives and end his candidacy for County Judge,” Rutledge said in an emailed statement. “The allegations against him are serious and disturbing. I have long held that there is no place for domestic violence in Arkansas. My concern is for those affected by his alleged actions. I am praying for his family, and I am confident that justice will be served.”

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin also called on McCollum to resign his house seat and immediately withdraw from the county judge’s race.

“I am appalled and disgusted by the abhorrent domestic violence allegations against State Representative Austin McCollum,” Griffin said in a Facebook post. “He should resign from the State legislature and withdraw from his race for County Judge immediately.”

Griffin said domestic violence is reprehensible and there is never justification for it.

“Every victim deserves to be heard, protected, and treated with dignity and respect,” he wrote. “Those who commit acts of domestic violence must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. My prayers are with the victim and all those impacted by these revolting acts.”