Steve Womack

Steve Womack
Steve Womack
Born	Stephen Allen Womack; February 18, 1957 (age 69); Russellville, Arkansas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, financial advisor, military officer
Years active	1998–present (politics)
Known for	U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 3rd congressional district since 2011; former mayor of Rogers, Arkansas

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Steve Womack, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 8 August 2025

Stephen Allen Womack ( ; born February 18, 1957) is an American lawmaker who has represented Arkansas's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2011. This district, previously served by former Senator J. William Fulbright, encompasses a large portion of northwestern Arkansas, including cities such as Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Womack’s hometown, Rogers. A member of the Republican Party, he formerly held the position of mayor in Rogers.

From 2018 to 2019, Womack was chairman of the House Budget Committee and subsequently served as its ranking member between 2019 and 2021.

Early life, education and career before politics

Born in Russellville, Arkansas to Elisabeth (née Canerday) and James Womack, Stephen Womack completed his secondary education at Russellville High School in 1975. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Arkansas Tech University in 1979. That same year, his father established KURM (AM), where Womack took on the role of station manager. Additionally, he joined the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1979.

In 1990, he transitioned from radio management to serve as executive officer for the Arkansas Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Arkansas, a role he held until 1996. Afterwards, he worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch while maintaining his National Guard duties until retiring at the rank of colonel in 2009.

Entry into politics

Womack was elected mayor of Rogers, Arkansas in 1998 and held that office for twelve years. During his administration, he introduced policies aimed at curbing illegal immigration by integrating two agents from the Immigration and Naturalization Service into the Rogers Police Department. This approach prompted a class-action lawsuit from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, accusing law enforcement of racial profiling.

2010

When incumbent Representative John Boozman pursued a Senate seat in late 2009, Womack launched his campaign for Arkansas's 3rd District—a solidly Republican constituency controlled by the GOP since 1967. He led a seven-candidate primary with 31% of the vote and narrowly won the June runoff against state Senator Cecile Bledsoe by a margin of 52% to 48%. In the general election, Womack secured a commanding victory over Democrat David Whitaker with a 72% to 28% result.

2012

Initially set to face veteran Ken Aden for reelection, Womack’s opponent withdrew on July 8 after admitting to falsifying parts of his military service record. Due to state election laws preventing substitution by the Democratic Party after that date, Womack ran unopposed by any major party candidate in November. He was reelected with 76% support against Green Party nominee Rebekah Kennedy (16%) and Libertarian David Pangrac (8%).

2014

Although Thomas Brewer—a math teacher and minister—and Troy Gittings—a high school English teacher and comedian—expressed intentions to challenge Womack, neither filed official candidacies. Libertarian Grant Brand was Womack’s sole opponent on the ballot. Womack won reelection comfortably with 79% compared to Brand’s 21%.

2016

Womack encountered no Democratic contender once more and secured victory over Libertarian Steve Isaacson, capturing 77% of the vote compared to Isaacson’s 23%.

2018

During the Republican primary, Womack was challenged by Robb Ryerse, who identified as a "progressive Republican." Womack won decisively with 84% against Ryerse’s 16%.

In the general election, Womack faced Democratic opposition for the first time while in office. He defeated Josh Mahoney—president of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund and former chairman of the Fayetteville Airport Commission—and Libertarian Michael Kalagias with a 65%-33%-2% vote split, marking his narrowest victory margin to date.

2020

Running unopposed in the Republican primary, Womack went on to defeat Democratic nominee Celeste Williams, a nurse practitioner, and Libertarian Kalagias, with results of 64%, 32%, and 4% respectively.

2022

Womack was re-elected over Democratic candidate Lauren Mallett-Hays and Libertarian Kalagias, earning 63.7% of the vote while Mallett-Hays received 32.9% and Kalagias 3.4%.

2024

In the primary election, Womack faced competition from state senator Clint Penzo but prevailed with 54% of the vote.

Tenure

In 2010, Womack committed to a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, vowing to oppose any tax-increasing legislation related to global warming.

As part of the House Appropriations Committee in 2014, he supported measures preventing USDA officials from finalizing regulations affecting the meat industry. This position was criticized for hindering enforcement aimed at protecting chicken farmers from corporate retaliation.

Womack publicly opposed the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

He voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, endorsing comprehensive tax reform.

Womack did not back the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election outcomes. He voted to certify results from Arizona and Pennsylvania and was among 35 Republicans supporting legislation to establish a January 6 commission investigating the Capitol attack.

On November 30, 2021, he supported the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act, which aimed to develop confidential vaccine administration databases.

By October 2021, Womack had aligned with President Joe Biden’s positions approximately 15% of the time.

In 2022, he was one of 39 Republicans who voted for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act, an antitrust measure targeting anti-competitive corporate practices.

A dedicated ally of Kevin McCarthy, Womack presided over McCarthy’s removal as Speaker in October 2023. During the subsequent Speaker election, he initially backed Steve Scalise before casting his final ballot for Mike Johnson.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:

Committee on Appropriations

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Womack expressed support for the Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, emphasizing that it "safeguard[ed] unborn children and affirm[ed] the scientifically supported reality of fetal humanity."

Personal life

Womack is a member of Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, a Southern Baptist congregation located in Rogers, Arkansas. He has been married to his wife, Terri, since August 4, 1984. Together, they have three sons and three grandsons and reside in Rogers.

Electoral history

Year	Office	District	Democratic		Republican		Libertarian		Other
2010	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district	David Whitaker	27.56%	Steve Womack	72.44%
2012	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district			Steve Womack	75.9%	David Pangrac	8.09%	Rebekah Kennedy (G)	16.01%
2014	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district			Steve Womack	79.41%	Grant Brand	20.59%
2016	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district			Steve Womack	77.31%	Steve Isaacson	22.69%
2018	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district	Joshua Mahony	32.65%	Steve Womack	64.78%	Michael Kalagias	2.57%
2020	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district	Celeste Williams	31.81%	Steve Womack	64.31%	Michael Kalagias	3.88%
2022	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district	Lauren Mallett-Hays	32.89%	Steve Womack	63.69%	Michael Kalagias	3.42%
2024	U.S. House of Representatives	Arkansas's 3rd district	style="background:#ccf;" \| Caitlin Draper	31.8%	style= "background:#fcc; " \| Steve Womack	63.8%	style= "background:#ffc; white-space:nowrap; " \| Bobby Wilson	4.4%

External links

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