Arkansas Rep. Austin McCollum arrested on domestic battering, false imprisonment charges

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the Republican candidate for Benton County judge, was arrested Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office listed charges of third-degree domestic battering, first-degree false imprisonment and aggravated assault on a family or household member, as reported by Talk Business & Politics. Third-degree domestic battering is a Class A misdemeanor.

Benton County law enforcement said the police report would not be released until Monday and provided no further details about the alleged incident.

All charges and accusations against McCollum are allegations. McCollum is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

House leadership positions removed

House Speaker Brian Evans said he was immediately removing McCollum from all House leadership positions, including the committee vice chairmanship, and stripping him of membership privileges and benefits associated with those positions.

Evans said: “Domestic violence is a serious offense that shatters families, harms victims, and erodes the trust that public servants are expected to uphold. 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 also said: “My convictions against domestic violence are unwavering. I am calling on him to resign from the Arkansas House of Representatives or I will convene the House to take the necessary actions.”

State officials call for resignation

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement: “The allegations against Representative McCollum are appalling, and I’m praying for his wife and children. 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.”

Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge’s office said she withdrew her endorsement of McCollum’s campaign immediately and called on him to resign his House seat and end his county judge campaign.

“I am withdrawing my endorsement of Representative McCollum’s campaign for Benton County Judge, effective immediately. He should resign his seat in the House of Representatives and end his candidacy for County Judge,” said Rutledge. “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.”

McCollum’s political career

McCollum is in his ninth year in the Arkansas House and previously served as House Majority Leader. Before the arrest, he was vice chairman of the House Education Committee and served on the House Insurance and Commerce Committee and Arkansas Legislative Council.

McCollum is running for Benton County judge and faces independent Taylor Sizemore in November.