Pierce seeks re-election to senate
SHERIDAN — Senator Bobby J. Pierce is seeking re-election to his seat in the Arkansas Senate, representing District 27, in the Nov. 8 General Election.
Pierce, 66, is a Democrat. He faces Republican Challenger Trent Garner in November.
Pierce resides in Sheridan with his wife, Joan Bratton Pierce. They have four children and six grandchildren.
He is a self-employed small business owner.
“Born in Dermott, I am a lifelong resident of Arkansas, a small-business owner, and a proud military veteran,” Pierce said. “I served my national, state, and local communities with eight years in the Arkansas National Guard, 26 years on the Sheridan School Board, three consecutive terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives, and one term in the Arkansas State Senate.”
“As the 10-year president of the Sheridan School Board and the husband of a retired teacher, I have made education a priority in my public service,” Pierce said. “During my first term in the Arkansas Senate, I held memberships on the Senate Education, Academic Facilities Oversight, and Senate Children and Youth committees.”
Pierce has also continued to work with legislators across the country by serving on the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.
“A veteran who served eight years in the Arkansas National
Guard, I consistently work to protect and aid the state’s active military, veterans, and their families,” Pierce said. “I was a primary sponsor of Arkansas Senate Bill 731, which passed in March of this year. The bill serves to make emergency financial assistance more available to military families through the Military Family Relief Trust Fund and the Military Family Relief Check-Off Program.”
Pierce has served in the Senate leadership and as an Assistant President Pro Tempore, as well serving on the Joint Budget, Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Oversight, and the Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight committees.
“Regionally and nationally, I hold membership on the Southern Legislative Conference and the National Rifle Association,” Pierce said. “Throughout my career, I have worked to enhance and improve Arkansas’s two-year colleges to provide increased educational opportunities.”
Pierce enjoys an active community life, serving as a member of the Lions Club, First United Methodist Church of Sheridan, Rotary Club, and United Way.
“In addition to being a contractor of utility services, I own and operate a hardware store in Sheridan,” he said.
Pierce said he is seeking re-election so he can continue to serve the people of Arkansas by making sure Arkansas has the best
skilled work force possible for economic development and job growth.
“I want to see Highway 167 become four lanes all the way from Little Rock to the Louisiana state line,” he said. “We have made great strides in education during my past term, and my goal is to see Pre-K continued for our schools.”
When asked about his qualifications for the Senate, Pierce said he has been a small business owner for 44 years.
“I know what it means to work hard with employees and work to make payroll,” he said. “I have military training and served in the National Guard for eight years. I served 26 years on the school board, six years in the House of Representatives where I was on the Budget Committee, and four years in the Senate. I was also on the Budget Committee in the Senate, ensuring that the State did not overspend its budget.”
Pierce’s experience as an elected official includes 26 years on the school board, including 10 years as president, and six years in the Arkansas House of Representatives for six years, as well as serving his first four-year term in the Arkansas Senate.
“I want to see Arkansas Works be successful, so that more people have health insurance and local hospitals can continue to operate,” he said. “I plan to continue working with Gov. Hutchinson to make sure his plan works.”
One of his top goals, if elected, would be to make sure his district has a skilled work force ready when new businesses choose to settle in South Arkansas, Pierce said.
Pierce cites his experience as the reason he is the better candidate in this coming election.
“I’ve been self-employed for 44 years. I have worked with people. I know how difficult it can be to make payroll and make sure employees have insurance,” Pierce said. “I have already served in the House of Representatives and Senate, and I have knowledge of what it takes to get bills passed. I serve on the most powerful committees — Rules and Budget. I’ve spent countless hours studying Arkansas budget to make sure we have a balanced budget and never overspend.”
Pierce said his role model as a senator is David Pryor. “He was one of the last great gentlemen politicians,” he said. “He served Arkansas well as Governor and Senator.”
When asked what his strongest character traits are, Pierce replied, “Faith in God will be my strongest trait, along with integrity, commitment, and honesty.”
Pierce said the last book he read was a biography of John Wayne. He enjoys hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and playing with his grandchildren.
“I am a man of faith, integrity, commitment, and honesty,” Pierce said. “There are three things I can promise my constituents I have control over:
First, I will work hard for you; second, I will never embarrass you, and third, I will always be accessible to you if you need my help.”