Four Republican House members in Arkansas are facing challenges from Democratic challengers.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ four Republican U.S. House members face challenges in this year’s elections from Democratic rivals who are fighting an uphill battle to weaken the GOP’s hold on the federal delegation state.

GOP Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman are seeking re-election in the heavily GOP state. Republicans have held every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate since 2013.

1st District: Crawford faces Gowens

Crawford, who has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2011, faces a challenge from Democratic challenger Rodney Gowens. The 1st District covers eastern Arkansas and includes the cities of Jonesboro, West Memphis and Helena-West Helena. Libertarian Steve Parsons is also vying for the seat.

Crawford is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has said that in the next Congress he will seek to become the top Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Gowens, a Cabot resident who worked in the telecommunications industry, called for improvements to the Veterans Administration and foster care systems across the country. Crawford said he wants to solve the country’s debt problem by imposing permanent spending controls.

2nd District: Hill facing Jones

Hill, who was first elected to the 2nd District in 2014 and is vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, is running against Democratic challenger Marcus Jones. The 2nd District seat covers central Arkansas, including Little Rock.

In recent years, Democrats have tried unsuccessfully try to return district, hoping to rely heavily on turnout in Little Rock despite the state’s further lurch to the right. The 2021 GOP Legislature redrawn congressional district lines, shifting thousands of predominantly Black voters from the 2nd District.

During his re-election bid, Hill focused heavily on immigration, calling for improved border security as well as measures he said would help curb inflation. Jones is a retired Army colonel who served as the senior Army advisor for the Arkansas Army National Guard at Camp Robinson. Jones called for expanding the child tax credit and legislation to expand access to health care in rural areas.

3rd District: Womack faces Draper

Womack, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was first elected to the 3rd District in 2010 and is running against Democrat Caitlin Draper, a clinical social worker from Fayetteville.

The Third District covers northwest Arkansas and includes the cities of Fayetteville, Springdale and Fort Smith.

Womack, a former chairman of the House Budget Committee, was the only member of the state House of Representatives to face the main problem in March, defeating state Sen. Clint Penzo. In that contest, Womack had the support of the state’s top Republicans, including GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Womack has called border security a priority and said he believes he has a track record of finding bipartisan solutions in a closely divided Congress.

Draper, like other Democrats vying for House seats in Arkansas, said she supports federal legislation protecting abortion access following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. She also noted that climate change and health are major concerns.

Libertarian Bobby Wilson is also vying for the seat.

4th District: Westerman faces Howard

Westerman, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, was first elected to the 4th District in 2014. He’s running against Risey Howard, a Pine Bluff attorney.

The Fourth District covers southern Arkansas and includes Pine Bluff, Hot Springs and Texarkana.

Westerman, a former state legislator and the only forester in the House, touted his work on forest legislation and said his priorities in the next Congress also include energy and mining issues. Howard said she wants to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and protect Social Security.