Rep. Sabin Touted As ‘Rising Political Star’ With Prestigious Fellowship

Little Rock Democratic lawmaker, Warwick Sabin, has been tabbed as one the nation’s “rising political stars” after being selected Monday (Sept. 22) to receive the prestigious Rodel Fellowship, given out each year by the Aspen Institute in the Colorado city of the same name.

As one of the 24 fellows selected after an intensive year-long search by the institute, Sabin will be a member of the tenth class with politicians from across the U.S. The annual fellowship is “designed to bring together elected officials who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse,” according to the institute.

“These men and women represent the very best among the new generation of America’s political leadership,” said former Congressman Mickey Edwards, the program’s director. “They have each won the notice and praise of their constituents and their colleagues and have shown a dedication to public service that is an encouraging sign in a time of great challenge. There are now some 200 Rodel Fellows, at all levels of government, working to ensure that Americans receive thoughtful and responsive leadership. We are very proud to have these outstanding leaders join their ranks.”

Currently, Sabin is a member of the Arkansas General Assembly, serving District 33 which includes the Hillcrest, Leawood, Briarwood, Hall High, Capitol View/Stifft Station, and Downtown neighborhoods of Little Rock. Warwick, the subject of a recent Talk Business & Politics profile, is also the Executive Director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.

Other lawmakers across the U.S. to receive the fellowship include:

California state assemblyman Rob Bont, South Bend Mayor Peter Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, North Dakota public service commissioner Julie Fedorchak, Nevada state senator Aaron Ford, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and Oklahoma House Speaker Jeff Hickman.

Also, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, St. Louis city treasurer Tishaura Jones, Minnesota state representative Tara Mack, North Carolina state representative Grier Martin, South Carolina state senator Shane Massey, Providence city councilwoman Sabina Matos, California state assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, and Alaska House majority leader Lance Pruitt were selected.

Florida agriculture commissioner and former Congressman Adam Putnam, Missouri state representative Todd Richardson, Michigan senate president pro tem Tonya Schuitmaker, Maryland state senator Chris Shank, Dallas school board president Miguel Solis, Colorado state treasurer Walker Stapleton, and Oregon state representative Jennifer Williamson also made the list.

The Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership program is an “invitation only” program for publicly elected officials who are ideally between the ages of 25 and 50.

Each class consists of 24 Fellows, identified by the program’s leadership as America’s emerging political leaders with reputations for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to civil dialogue, the institute said. The 24-month fellowship program consists of three weekend-long seminars, generally held in Aspen, Colorado.