Arnold was elected to the state House in 2011 by defeating the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Dexter Cadle, 3,899 (52.7 percent) to 3,496 (47.3 percent). The seat opened when the incumbent Democrat, W. J. "Billy" McCoy, did not seek reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url= | Arnold was elected to the state House in 2011 by defeating the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Dexter Cadle, 3,899 (52.7 percent) to 3,496 (47.3 percent). The seat opened when the incumbent Democrat, W. J. "Billy" McCoy, did not seek reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url= |