The Carroll County Clerk’s Office announced Wednesday that Eureka Springs Mayor Robert “Butch” Berry has notified election officials of his decision to concede and withdraw from the November 3, 2026, general election for mayor, effectively clearing the way for Steve Holifield to assume the office pending certification of election results.
According to a statement posted on Carroll County Clerk Connie Doss’s Facebook page, Berry submitted written notification by email stating his intention to withdraw from the race and concede to Holifield. Officials said a signed letter formally confirming the decision is expected to follow.
Under Arkansas law, a runoff election is generally required when more than two candidates seek a municipal office and no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. However, Arkansas Code Annotated § 7-5-106(d) provides an exception when one of the two qualifying candidates withdraws before certification of the general election results.
In that circumstance, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is declared elected, and no runoff election is held.
Because Berry’s notification was received before certification of the November 3 election results, county officials said the statutory provision could apply, eliminating the need for a runoff election if all legal requirements are met.
The Carroll County Clerk’s Office said it will work with the Carroll County Board of Election Commissioners to verify that Berry’s withdrawal complies with Arkansas law and to ensure all statutory requirements are satisfied before election results are officially certified.
If the withdrawal is confirmed under state law, Holifield would be declared the winner of the mayoral race without a runoff election.
