Jason Rapert

Jason Rapert

Republican Party

Prior offices

Arkansas State Senate District 35

Successor: Tyler Dees

---

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 24, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Central Arkansas, 1994

Personal

Profession

Business

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Jason Rapert (Republican Party) was a member of the Arkansas State Senate, representing District 35. He assumed office in 2011. He left office on January 9, 2023.

Rapert (Republican Party) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. He lost in the Republican primary on May 24, 2022.

Biography

Rapert earned his B.A. in political science and sociology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1994. His professional experience includes working as President and founder of Holy Ghost Ministries, Incorporated, and the owner and Financial Advisor for Rapert and Pillow Financial, Incorporated.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Rapert was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
• Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials Committee
• Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, Chair
• Public Retirement and Social Security Programs Committee

2019-2020

Rapert was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, Co-Chair
• Public Retirement and Social Security Programs Committee
• Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee, Chair
• Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
• Governor's Emergency Fund Review Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Rapert served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Rapert served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Rapert served on these committees:

Issues

Human Heartbeat Protection Act

On January 28, 2013, Rapert introduced Senate Bill 134, the proposed "Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act." The bill, now Act 301, would require all pregnant women considering abortion to undergo medical testing to determine if the fetus has a heartbeat and would ban abortions in pregnancies past 12 weeks where the fetus has a heartbeat. Act 301 includes exemptions for abortions performed "to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman," "due to the existence of a highly lethal fetal disorder as defined by the Arkansas State Medical Board," and in cases of rape and incest. The House passed the bill in its final form 68-20 on February 23, and the Senate followed on February 28, with a vote of 26-8. Governor Mike Beebe vetoed SB 134 on March 4, but more than the required simple majority voted to override his veto in each chamber, with the Senate doing so 20-14 on March 5 and the House 56-33 on March 6. In his veto letter, Beebe asserted that "because it would impose a ban on a woman's right to choose an elective, nontherapeutic abortion well before viability, Senate Bill 134 blatantly contradicts the United States Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court." The Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act became law on March 6 as Act 301. When enacted, the ban on most abortions after a fetus reaches 12 weeks of age was the earliest in the country. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights announced that they would challenge the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act before it goes into effect 90 days after the legislature's adjournment.

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

Leslie Rutledge defeated Kelly Krout and Frank Gilbert in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Leslie Rutledge (R)	64.2	577,316
		Kelly Krout (D)	32.1	288,631
		Frank Gilbert (L)	3.7	33,163

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 899,110
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kelly Krout advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Drew Pritt (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Leslie Rutledge	54.0	183,888
		Jason Rapert	14.7	50,063
		Greg Bledsoe	9.9	33,722
		Joseph Wood	8.6	29,277
		Doyle Webb	6.8	23,188
		Chris Bequette	6.0	20,411

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 340,549
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

Frank Gilbert advanced from the Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on February 20, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Frank Gilbert (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Arkansas State Senate District 35

Incumbent Jason Rapert defeated Maureen Skinner in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 35 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Rapert (R)	55.1	15,168
		Maureen Skinner (D)	44.9	12,339

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,507 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 35

Maureen Skinner advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 35 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Maureen Skinner

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 35

Incumbent Jason Rapert advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 35 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Jason Rapert

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014; a runoff election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 3, 2014. Joel Pearson was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Jason Rapert was unopposed in the Republican primary. Rapert defeated Pearson in the general election.

Arkansas State Senate, District 35 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jason Rapert Incumbent	56.8%	13,488
	Democratic	Joel Pearson	43.2%	10,276
Total Votes				23,764

2012

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2012

Rapert ran for re-election in the 2012 election for Arkansas Senate, District 35. Rapert ran unopposed in the May 22 Republican primary, and defeated Linda Tyler (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Arkansas State Senate, District 35, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jason Rapert Incumbent	54.3%	15,973
	Democratic	Linda Tyler	45.7%	13,458
Total Votes				29,431

2010

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2010

Rapert defeated Democrat Johnny Hoyt and Green Party candidate Gregory D. Slocum in the November 2 general election.

Arkansas State Senate, District 18 General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Jason Rapert (R)		15,418
Johnny Hoyt (D)		11,603
Gregory D. Slocum (G)		1,062

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jason Rapert did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Rapert's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

Fighting for Hardworking Arkansas Taxpayers

• Excerpt: " I am committed to ensuring that the common-sense conservative principles Arkansas families are protected and defended at every level of government."

Economy and Jobs

• Excerpt: "I commit to continue working with local Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations to attract, develop and retain new businesses and industrial development in the communities of Senate District 35."

Second Amendment

• Excerpt: "I believe that every law abiding citizen in our nation has the individual right to own firearms and no law should be passed that infringes upon that right."

Taxes

• Excerpt: "I support the complete elimination of Arkansas’s sales tax on groceries."

Healthcare

• Excerpt: "I strongly disagree with my fellow legislators who have publicly promised to actively work on establishing Obamacare in Arkansas and those who have said the law is just something we as citizens would just have to accept."

2012

Rapert's website highlighted the following campaign themes: Economy

• Excerpt: "Our nation must reign in deficit spending at the federal level. I will protect the Arkansas balanced budget law and encourage the federal government to adopt the same standard. "

2nd Amendment Gun Rights

• Excerpt: "The right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I believe that every law abiding citizen in our nation has the individual right to own firearms and no law should be passed that infringes upon that right."

Taxes

• Excerpt: "I support the complete elimination of the Arkansas state sales tax on groceries, and I pledge to introduce legislation to remove this tax during the 2011 legislative session. "

Healthcare

• Excerpt: "Healthcare is an individual choice and no citizen of our nation should be forced into a federally mandated healthcare program. "

Pro-Life

• Excerpt: "I believe that life begins at conception and abortion as a form of birth control should be banned. I support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning abortion as a form of birth control."

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Jason Rapert campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas	Lost primary	$458,844	$406,859
2018	Arkansas State Senate District 35	Won general	$440,221	N/A**
2014	Arkansas State Senate, District 35	Won	$332,220	N/A**
2012	Arkansas State Senate, District 35	Won	$374,510	N/A**
2010	Arkansas State Senate, District 18	Won	$97,455	N/A**
Grand total			$1,703,250	$406,859
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Arkansas

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Arkansas scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2022

In 2022, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from February 14 to March 15.

• National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 to October 15. Arkansas Farm Bureau Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on whether their votes on bills deliver "more economic freedom for all Arkansans." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from April 8 to April 24. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through April 24. Americans for Prosperity Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on whether their votes on bills deliver "more economic freedom for all Arkansans." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from February 12 through March 12. The legislature held a special session from March 13 to March 15. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 91st Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 1. The Legislature held a special session from May 1 to May 3. Americans for Prosperity Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues with "a focus on small business." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the 90th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from April 13 through May 9. The Legislature held a three-day special session from April 6 to April 8 over healthcare. The Legislature held a second special session from May 19 to May 23 over transportation. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the 90th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 12 through April 2. Arkansas Citizen's First Congress Legislators are scored on the bills that the Arkansas Citizens First Congress found most important. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Arkansas General Assembly was in session from February 10 to March 20. Ballotpedia staff did not find any state legislative scorecards published for this state in 2014. If you are aware of one, please contact [email protected] to let us know.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the 89th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 17. Advance Arkansas Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on the principles the organization seeks to promote, which the Advance Arkansas Institute lists as "free markets, individual liberty and limited transparent government." Arkansas Citizen's First Congress Legislators are scored on the bills that the Arkansas Citizens First Congress found most important. Arkansas Learns Legislators are scored on the bills specifically supported by Arkansas Learns. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the Arkansas General Assembly was in session from February 13 to March 13. Ballotpedia staff did not find any state legislative scorecards published for this state in 2012. If you are aware of one, please contact [email protected] to let us know.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the 88th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 27. Advance Arkansas Legislators are scored on their votes on the principles the organization seeks to promote, which the Advance Arkansas Institute lists as "free markets, individual liberty and limited transparent government." Arkansas Citizen's First Congress Legislators are scored on the bills that the Arkansas Citizens First Congress found most important.

2016 Republican National Convention

See also: Republican National Convention, 2016

Rapert was a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Arkansas. Rapert was one of 15 delegates from Arkansas bound by state party rules to support Ted Cruz at the convention. Cruz suspended his campaign on May 3, 2016. At the time, he had approximately 546 bound delegates. For more on what happened to his delegates, see this page.

Delegate rules

See also: RNC delegate guidelines from Arkansas, 2016 and Republican delegates from Arkansas, 2016

Congressional district delegates from Arkansas to the Republican National Convention were elected at district conventions in April 2016, while at-large delegates were elected by the Arkansas Republican State Committee at a state convention in May 2016. Arkansas GOP rules in 2016 required delegates to the convention to vote for the candidate whom they designated on their delegate-filing form through the first round of voting. The rules allowed delegates to vote for a different candidate on the first ballot only if their designated candidate released them prior to the first round of voting or if their designated candidate "withdrew" from the race.

Arkansas primary results

See also: Presidential election in Arkansas, 2016

Arkansas Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Delegates
Donald Trump	32.8%	133,144	16
Ted Cruz	30.5%	123,873	15
Marco Rubio	24.9%	101,235	9
Ben Carson	5.7%	23,173	0
John Kasich	3.7%	15,098	0
Mike Huckabee	1.2%	4,703	0
Jeb Bush	0.6%	2,406	0
Rand Paul	0.3%	1,127	0
Chris Christie	0.2%	651	0
Carly Fiorina	0.1%	409	0
Rick Santorum	0.1%	286	0
Lindsey Graham	0.1%	250	0
Bobby Jindal	0%	167	0
Totals		406,522	40
Source: The New York Times

Delegate allocation

See also: 2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules

Arkansas had 40 delegates at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Of this total, 12 were district-level delegates (three for each of the state's four congressional districts). District-level delegates were allocated on a proportional basis; the highest vote-getter in a district received two of that district's delegates, and the second highest vote-getter received the remaining delegate. If a candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote in a district, he or she received all three of that district's delegates.

Of the remaining 28 delegates, 25 served at large. At-large delegates were allocated on a proportional basis; a candidate had to win at least 15 percent of the statewide vote in order to receive any at-large delegates. Each candidate who met the 15 percent threshold received one delegate. If a candidate won more than 50 percent of the statewide vote, he or she was allocated the remaining at-large delegates. If no candidate won a majority of the statewide vote, the unallocated at-large delegates were divided proportionally among those candidates who met the 15 percent threshold. In addition, three national party leaders (identified on the chart below as RNC delegates) served as bound delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Noteworthy events

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

Tested positive for coronavirus on July 23, 2020

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On July 23, 2020, Rapert announced that he was in the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first confirmed case of the disease in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. For more on responses to the coronavirus outbreak, click here.

See also

2022 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Personal

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Arkansas State Senate District 35 2011-2023	Succeeded by Tyler Dees (R)

[show]

Current members of the Arkansas State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Blake Johnson

Minority Leader:Greg Leding

Senators

District 1

Ben Gilmore (R)

District 2

Matt Stone (R)

District 3

Steve Crowell (R)

District 4

Jimmy Hickey (R)

District 5

Terry Rice (R)

District 6

Matt McKee (R)

District 7

Alan Clark (R)

District 8

Stephanie Flowers (D)

District 9

Reginald Murdock (D)

District 10

Ronald Caldwell (R)

District 11

Ricky Hill (R)

District 12

Linda Chesterfield (D)

District 13

Jane English (R)

District 14

Clarke Tucker (D)

District 15

Fredrick Love (D)

District 16

Kim Hammer (R)

District 17

Mark Johnson (R)

District 18

Jonathan Dismang (R)

District 19

Dave Wallace (R)

District 20

Dan Sullivan (R)

District 21

Blake Johnson (R)

District 22

John Payton (R)

District 23

Scott Flippo (R)

District 24

Missy Irvin (R)

District 25

Breanne Davis (R)

District 26

Gary Stubblefield (R)

District 27

Justin Boyd (R)

District 28

Bryan King (R)

District 29

Jim Petty (R)

District 30

Greg Leding (D)

District 31

Clint Penzo (R)

District 32

Joshua Bryant (R)

District 33

Bart Hester (R)

District 34

Jim Dotson (R)

District 35

Tyler Dees (R)

Republican Party (29)

Democratic Party (6)