Fulmer makes D.C. trip, digs into work

Jonelle Fulmer has been busy since her election last weekend as Republican Party of Arkansas chairwoman.

“I got almost one full day of work in the office and then flew off that evening to D.C. and had a wonderful visit with our RNC [Republican National Convention] chairwoman and a delightful evening at the vice president’s residence and then jetted back home just as quick as we could and got back to work,” she said Friday.

During her meeting with Ronna McDaniel, the RNC chairwoman, President Donald Trump called and congratulated her on her election.

Fulmer is replacing Doyle Webb, whom she called “the most successful chairman that the Republican Party of Arkansas has ever had.”

The Fort Smith resident is no stranger to national party leaders. She had served as the state’s Republican National Committeewoman since 2012.

She is taking the reins of a statewide organization with its headquarters in Little Rock. That will mean a lengthy commute.

“I’m going to be here [in the capital] during the week, and I’ll go home and see my husband [Dane Fulmer] and my dog on the weekend,” she said.

The pet has no known political leanings.

“He’s an 85-pound lab pit [mix], and my grandchildren named him Fruffy.”

Planning to visit the nation’s capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (501) 908-5204 or flockwood@ adgnewsroom.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Washington bureau? It’s available on Twitter, @ LockwoodFrank.