Democratic Party Makes Staff Changes

Less than one week after installing a new chairman, the Democratic Party of Arkansas announced changes to its senior staff.

Executive Director Mariah Hatta will transition into an advisory role for an undisclosed period of time and will be replaced by Amanda Nixon White, former chief of staff to Cong. Vic Snyder and one-time director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission. 

Candace Martin of Jonesboro was named as communications director. She worked on the Chad Causey for Congress campaign in the last election cycle and has served on Gov. Mike Beebe’s campaigns and staff.
 
"The DPA is committed to continue providing the strong leadership that has elected Arkansas Democrats throughout the years," said newly installed DPA Chairman Will Bond. "Both Amanda and Candace will bring valuable experience as we look towards the future and work to provide the tradition  of Arkansas Democrats offering responsible leadership that puts people before politics. I want to particularly thank Mariah Hatta for the leadership she has provided as executive director over the last several years. Dedicated Democrats like her make our party stronger, and we look forward to working with her during this transition."

Hatta has served under three previous chairs in her term as executive director. She was standing beside then-Chairman Bill Gwatney when he was gunned down at point-blank range at party headquarters in Little Rock on August 13, 2008.

Hatta talked to Talk Business in a late 2008 interview about the tragic shooting. "It was clearly one of the hardest days I’ve ever experienced in my life," she said at the time.