Early voting is in for the special election in Jonesboro for a successor to Democrat Paul Bookout, who resigned after being cited for campaign finance violations. 

The candidates: Businessman Steve Rockwell, a Democrat, and Republican John Cooper, an ultra conservative Tea Partyer who vowed to fight continuation of Medicaid expansion, which Bookout supported in narrow Senate passage. 

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The vote:

Rockwell 1,744

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Cooper 2,132

This looks promising for the GOP. Overcoming 55% early vote a remote likelihood. 

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UPDATE: Results not final but Republicans celebrating. Election Day voting also trending Cooper. It looks over.  With more than 5,500 votes in, and just a few precincts out, Cooper is over 57%.  Night all. 

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