what we stand for

A working democracy

We believe in equity for all Arkansans regardless of skin color or economic status. We oppose Arkansas’ intrusive voter identification laws that disproportionately disenfranchise veterans, people of color, the poor, the elderly, and students. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, campaign finance reform is urgently needed. Corporations should be prohibited from spending on political campaigns on any level. Democrats support creating an independent redistricting commission that will draw fair districts that do not unnecessarily divide our communities.

Justice for all

Democrats believe that lifting people out of poverty with opportunity, education, and jobs is the best long-term strategy for deterring crime. We encourage better police-community relations, requiring the use of body cameras, and stopping the use of weapons of war that have no place in our communities. We will end racial profiling that targets individuals on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. We will reform mandatory minimum sentences and ban for-profit private prisons and detention centers. We advocate restorative justice programs dedicated to rehabilitation and effective reentry policies so that those convicted of crime pay their debt to society and become fully productive contributors to society upon their release. Addiction should be seen first and foremost as a health care crisis rather than a criminal justice issue. Democrats will end criminal penalties for the personal use of marijuana and the practice of incarcerating Americans for possession of cannabis.

A Fair and just economy

The tax code created by is rigged to rob the middle class and working families and gives your hard-earned dollars to the rich and big corporations. As Democrats, we believe in tax reform that puts more money in the pockets of the middle and working class Arkansans and their families. We believe in protecting essential services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, and public safety. We oppose rewarding companies that ship American jobs overseas with special tax breaks and loopholes. We believe every Arkansan should have paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child as well as have access to paid sick and vacation leave.

Healthcare for All Arkansans

We are dedicated to guaranteeing healthcare for all Arkansans and making healthcare affordable and accessible. We will defend Medicaid expansion that provides a quarter-million of Arkansans healthcare and has strengthened rural healthcare facilities. We must treat mental health issues with the same care and seriousness that we treat issues of physical health as well as confronting the opioid crisis that affects all Arkansans. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that Arkansans have the opportunity to access high quality, affordable, and confidential health care, regardless of their location or economic status and without requiring guardian, judicial, parental, or spousal consent or notification.

A Quality education

Every child deserves a world-class education. We believe in a universally accessible pre-K program for every student and every public school, regardless of zip code, should have the resources they need. We demand quality instruction and work hard to retain talented classroom teachers, we must continue to recruit the best and brightest to the teaching profession, raise teacher pay, and protect teacher benefits. All Arkansans must have access to post-high school education, whether it’s college, career-technical school, or community college, and should be able to attend regardless of economic status.