BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — Republican state Rep. Austin McCollum was arrested Saturday on multiple charges connected to an alleged domestic violence incident, prompting leading Arkansas Republicans to demand that he resign from office and end his campaign for Benton County judge.
McCollum was booked into the Benton County jail on charges of aggravated assault against a family or household member, first-degree false imprisonment and third-degree domestic battery. He was initially listed as being held without bond. Details about the alleged incident had not been publicly released.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the allegations “appalling” and “sickening.” She said McCollum should immediately resign from the state House and withdraw from the county judge race if the allegations are accurate. Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and Attorney General Tim Griffin also called for his resignation.
House Speaker Brian Evans said he would remove McCollum from his leadership positions. Evans added that he would seek the lawmaker’s resignation or consider convening the House to act if McCollum is convicted.
McCollum has represented Benton County in the Arkansas House since 2017 and previously served as House majority leader. He won the Republican nomination for Benton County judge in March.
McCollum had not publicly responded to the allegations as of Saturday afternoon.
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