- See Bruce Westerman's sponsored bills →Bruce WestermanRepublicanIncumbent✓ Verified$3.0M raised
- James "Rus" RussellDemocratic✓ Verified$20K raised
Where they stand
Sources under every entry. Sentences are AI-written from the linked source.
Where they differ: Bruce Westerman supports reducing regulations and lowering taxes to create jobs and grow prosperity, emphasizing economic growth and median household income, and he promotes science-based forest management and environmental stewardship to restore national forests and ensure cleaner air and water 112. James "Rus" Russell supports raising wages and ensuring equal pay for equal work to build a fair economy, and he advocates for universal single-payer health care to lower costs and improve care 49.
AI-written comparison of the sourced entries below. Generated Oct 17, 2026.
| Issue | Bruce WestermanRepublican | James "Rus" RussellDemocratic |
|---|---|---|
| Economy & Jobs | Westerman supports reducing regulations and lower taxes to create jobs and grow prosperity, emphasizing real economic growth and increased median household income. Westerman supports economic growth through strengthening Arkansas' timber industry and advancing bipartisan efforts to support veterans and manufacturing. Westerman votes yea on multiple bills supporting technology use, capital access, privacy in purchases, TRIA reauthorization, and financial exploitation prevention. | Russell supports raising wages, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and fair treatment of workers to build a stronger, fair economy. |
| Where they differ on Economy & Jobs: Bruce Westerman supports reducing regulations and lower taxes to create jobs and grow prosperity, emphasizing real economic growth and increased median household income 1. He also supports economic growth through strengthening Arkansas' timber industry and advancing bipartisan efforts to support veterans and manufacturing 2. Westerman votes yea on multiple bills supporting technology use, capital access, privacy in purchases, TRIA reauthorization, and financial exploitation prevention 3. James "Rus" Russell supports raising wages, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and fair treatment of workers to build a stronger, fair economy 4. | ||
| Healthcare | Westerman supports reforming healthcare through his Fair Care Act to cover more Americans, lower costs, and protect pre-existing conditions. Westerman advocates for fiscally responsible healthcare solutions that lower costs and improve access, especially in rural areas, and opposes discrimination against disabled Americans. Westerman votes yea on acts reauthorizing rural care, early care, Medicaid protections, lowering premiums, and supporting patients and communities. | Russell supports expanding Medicare and moving toward healthcare for everyone to lower costs and improve care. Russell advocates for universal single-payer health care. |
| Where they differ on Healthcare: Bruce Westerman supports reforming healthcare through his Fair Care Act to cover more Americans, lower costs, and protect pre-existing conditions 1. He advocates for fiscally responsible healthcare solutions that lower costs and improve access, especially in rural areas, and opposes discrimination against disabled Americans 2. Westerman votes yea on acts reauthorizing rural care, early care, Medicaid protections, lowering premiums, and supporting patients and communities 3. James "Rus" Russell supports expanding Medicare and moving toward healthcare for everyone to lower costs and improve care 4. He advocates for universal single-payer health care 5. | ||
| Immigration | Westerman votes yea on acts supporting DHS, secure borders, deporting fraudsters, and stopping illegal entry, but nay on a national emergency resolution. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Public Safety & Crime | Westerman votes yea on bills enhancing prison staff safety, veterans' 2nd amendment rights, cashless bail reporting, and keeping violent offenders off streets. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Abortion | No public position found. Check their site ↗ | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Taxes & Government Spending | Westerman votes yea on tax relief for fraud victims, AGOA extension, budget resolutions, and various appropriations acts. | Russell supports making taxes fairer by having working people pay less and the rich pay their fair share, closing tax loopholes. |
| Where they differ on Taxes & Government Spending: Bruce Westerman votes yea on tax relief for fraud victims, AGOA extension, budget resolutions, and various appropriations acts 1. James "Rus" Russell supports making taxes fairer by having working people pay less and the rich pay their fair share, closing tax loopholes 2. | ||
| Energy & Environment | Westerman promotes science-based forest management and environmental stewardship to restore national forests and ensure cleaner air and water. Westerman votes yea on disapproving EPA rule, diesel emissions reduction, marine conservation, battlefield protection, and HEATS Act, but nay on fuel retailer choice act. | Russell supports protecting natural resources from toxic runoff and investing in a clean energy future using multiple sources. |
| Where they differ on Energy & Environment: Bruce Westerman promotes science-based forest management and environmental stewardship to restore national forests and ensure cleaner air and water 1. He voted yea on disapproving an EPA rule, diesel emissions reduction, marine conservation, battlefield protection, and the HEATS Act, but voted nay on the fuel retailer choice act 2. James "Rus" Russell supports protecting natural resources from toxic runoff and investing in a clean energy future using multiple sources 3. | ||
| Foreign Policy & Defense | Westerman votes nay on resolutions to remove US forces from Iran and Lebanon, yea on defense authorization and veterans clinic naming, and yea on FISA amendments. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |