State Rep. Laurie Rushing, a Republican, has announced she will seek re-election in House District 26.
Rushing is serving her first term in the Legislature after defeating incumbent Rep. David Kizzia, a Democrat, with nearly 52 percent of the vote in 2014. She currently sits on the Judiciary, House Rules, Legislative Joint Audit, and the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative, and Military Affairs committees and was elected among her peers to serve as the chairman of the House Freshman Caucus.
"I consider it a privilege to serve the people of District 26," said Rushing. "In my first session, we cut taxes, removed job-killing regulations, and improved education at all levels. If re-elected, I will continue fighting for legislation that further helps Arkansas families."
Rushing voted for the largest middle income tax reduction in Arkansas history, which will save the average family more than $500 a year. In addition, she helped pass a package of bills that cut bureaucracy and made it easier to obtain business licenses and permits. This package included a bill sponsored by Rushing that improved the ability of real estate companies to employee people and also created a state business portal that placed all paperwork and information an employer needs into one easy-to-use website.
To improve education, Rushing voted to add computer science training in public schools and to ensure Common Core would not be implemented in Arkansas. She also helped strengthen state scholarships and to allow some scholarships to be held for up to two years if the student it was awarded to has a family emergency or decides to serve in the military.
When asked why she is often referred to as one of the most transparent legislators, Rushing said it was important to her that voters know how she is serving them. "I've been told people know more about what's going on in the Legislature and what I'm doing at the Capitol than they ever have. It makes me happy to hear that. Part of my last campaign was letting people know I would be available and open to their ideas and needs. I make it around the district as much as possible and use social media daily, which allows me to communicate with voters on a regular basis."
Rushing is the executive broker for Trademark Real Estate Inc., a local business owned by her family. As a recognized leader in her industry, Rushing has served in many positions, including president of the Hot Springs Board of Realtors and vice president of the Arkansas Realtors Association and was named Arkansas Realtor of the Year in 2009. She is married to Cliff Rushing and they have two children and three grandchildren.
House District 26 includes parts of Garland and Hot Spring counties.
Local on 10/04/2015