Our PAWPAC-Endorsed & Elected Officials in Action!
They have been showing up, speaking up, and advocating for the rights of all Arkansans. We couldn’t be more proud of them!
- House Minority Leader Rep. Tippi McCullough was the lead sponsor of HB1268, aka the Raising Arkansas’s Investment in Schools and Educators (RAISE) Act. It called for an immediate $10,000 raise for all full-time teachers and required an increase in the state’s minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 by June 30, 2024. Several of our endorsed officials cosponsored the bill including Representatives Nicole Clowney, Denise Ennett, Denise Garner, Ashley Hudson, Tara Shephard, Vivian Flowers, Joy Springer, and Senators Linda Chesterfield, and Stephanie Flowers. The bill was ultimately tabled.
- Rep. Ashley Hudson delivered an excellent speech on behalf of Arkansas Democrats immediately following President Biden’s State of the Union address. She also filed and passed the Pregnant and Parenting Students Act on the floor of the House with a 98-0 yay vote. This bill requires public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools to “excuse absences due to conditions related to pregnancy or parenting,” including for labor, delivery, recovery, prenatal and postnatal appointments. And because progressive women support other progressive women, her cosponsors of the bill were PAWPAC endorsed Representatives Denise Ennett and Denise Garner.
- Rep. Tara Shephard had the unique opportunity to be in the Speaker of the House’s seat during a recent legislative session.
- Rep. Denise Ennett filed HB1315, a bill to create Seizure Safe Schools, which passed unanimously.
- Rep. Nicole Clowney presented HB1301, which would create an exception to our state’s abortion ban in the case of a fetal anomaly that is incompatible with life. It was unfortunately voted down.
- Washington County JP Beth Coger, Fayetteville City Council Member Sarah Moore, and former House District candidate Monique Jones joined forces to gather signatures to fight the use of ARPA funds for an $18.8 million jail expansion.
- Rogers Councilwoman April Legere received the Irma Hunter Brown Women’s Leadership Award at the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus King Kennedy Awards.
- Former Senator Joyce Elliott recieved the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus. The award honors her for demonstrating lifelong work that has advanced the cause of human and civil rights, provided for equitable treatment of all people and championed justice for those who are underserved.
- LaTonya Austin Honorable, Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge, was one recipient of the President’s Award from the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus. She was recognized for helping to advance the objective of the Black Caucus by promoting the election of African Americans to all levels of elected office.
PAWPAC Endorsed Candidates in Action
Even though they didn’t win, our endorsed candidates are not giving up the fight. We love cheering them on!
- Former House candidate Judson Scanlon has been vocal, sharing their experience with legislators and educating folks about school choice in the halls of the Capitol.
- Cortney McKee, former JP candidate in Garland County, advocated against the Quorum Court’s attempt to declare Garland County as a Pro-Life County.
- Former Senate candidate Allison Sweatman has been busy speaking out about the harm the LEARNS Act will cause for students with disabilities. She testified at the Capitol against the LEARNS act, spoke at a Disability Rights Arkansas rally, and has been clapping back at Republican trolls on Twitter.
- Former candidate for Commissioner of State Lands, Goldi Gaines. Goldi was elected as the Treasurer for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
- Former House candidates Allison Sweatman and Diana Gonzalez Worthen were panelists on the Rural Caucus of Arkansas’ education panel in Farmington. Rep. Denise Garner gave remarks at the event.
- Former House Candidate Jannie Cotton was elected as the Vice Chair for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
- Former candidate for Commissioner of State Lands, Goldi Gaines was elected as the Treasurer for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
- Ash Lee Hicks, former JP Candidate in Washington County, was elected President of the Washington County Democratic Women.
- Emerge Arkansas recently announced their 2023 cohort, and we were thrilled to see several familiar faces: Dr. Kellee Mitchell Farris, Nicole Hart, Letisha Hinds, Jocelyn Lampkin, Cortney Mckee, Caitlin Oxford, Michelle Gates Roberts, Chenoa Summers, Alicia Walton, and Emily Young.
We’re keeping our eyes peeled and hope to see announcements that these women will run again!
We’d also like to thank all school board members, educators, and librarians who are out on the front lines battling on behalf of all children. We see you, we stand with you, and are cheering you on.
Read what these two strong progressive Arkansas women have to say about running for office!
“Women of Arkansas, I’m thinking about PAWPAC and how hard they work to get women elected to office. You need to run for something, anything from the school board all the way up to the Governor’s office. Things change in Arkansas when women step up and run! We need YOU!”
—Joyce Elliott, Former Arkansas State Senator, Founder of Get Loud Arkansas
“I’ve heard that there are so many of us women who secretly want to run for office, but have never been asked, or they’re afraid they won’t be good at it. I didn’t just hear this, I had the same fears. Be like Elsa and let those fears go. There are so many women all over the state ready to help you, mentor you, and get you ready to win. The secret’s out, sisters! We know you want to run, so here’s the ask: will you run for office?”
—Ashley Hudson, Arkansas State Representative