These Northeast Arkansas Women Made Political History

For Marsha Phillips, it was an opportunity to provide a life for her two children and follow in her father’s footsteps.

For Hannah Holloway-Towell, it was an opportunity to try to make a difference and get more young people involved in public service.

Come January, both ladies will be among the dozen or so Northeast Arkansas women serving in statewide, state legislative or county offices.

Phillips, a Democrat who won reelection for Craighead County Collector defeating Republican Timothy Simmons, said she began working at the Craighead County Courthouse in 1980. The work there led to her going to work for the collector’s office in 1989.

“I never thought about going into politics,” Phillips said.

Phillips said former collector Carol Ward taught her a lot, while Phillips said her father, Pete Shelton, was her inspiration.

“My dad was on the Jonesboro City Council for 16 years. He was my rock. There were a lot of people who wanted him to run for mayor but he was scared. He did not want to do it,” Phillips said.

Holloway-Towell, a 24-year-old Republican who defeated Democrat Toni Oden for Craighead County Assessor Tuesday, said voters first asked her one question while on the campaign trail.

“People asked a lot about my age,” Holloway-Towell, who works as a Market President Assistant at Centennial Bank in Jonesboro, said. “Young people want to make a difference.”

Holloway-Towell, who is likely the first Republican ever to hold the assessor’s office in Craighead County, said she has seen a lot of young people who are willing to get involved in politics.

She said she was inspired by Saira Blair, an 18-year-old college freshman at West Virginia University, who won a state House of Delegates seat there as a Republican.

Holloway-Towell was one of three Republican women to win county office in Craighead County Tuesday. Candace Edwards defeated Democrat Ashley Broadaway for circuit clerk, while Billie Sue Hoggard defeated incumbent Democrat justice of the peace Kenny Hendrix in District 4.

Republicans also picked up a 7-6 majority on the county’s Quorum Court, while keeping the county clerk’s office with incumbent Kade Holliday winning over Democrat Nancy Robbins by a 72-28% margin.

“It was surprising to see the looks on the faces as it was announced that Asa won the governor’s race and Rep. Crawford being re-elected,” Holloway-Towell said. “It was historic and amazing. My jaw just dropped to see the magnitude of what happened.”

Phillips said the campaign gave her an opportunity to meet people and talk about issues.

“There was a lot of hard work and I went door-to-door,” Phillips, who was first elected in 2012, said. “I enjoy going to events and made a lot of friends (in 2012). I feel like I have made more friends this time.”

Holloway-Towell said the wins by area women on Tuesday provide an opportunity for women to lead and learn from other women.

“It is very encouraging. It is very nice to talk … and to hear their stories. It was an amazing year on multiple levels,” Holloway-Towell said.

WINNERS
The following are a list of area women who won statewide, state legislative or county offices Tuesday:

Statewide
· Attorney General-elect Leslie Rutledge (a Batesville native). Also, State Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville won the state auditor’s job.

State Legislative
· State Sen.-elect Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas, State Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould, and State Rep.-elect Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne.

County
· Greene County Clerk-elect Phyllis Rhynes, R-Paragould.
· Greene County Collector Cathy Hays, D-Paragould.
· Greene County Assessor Diane Simons, D-Paragould.
· Jackson County Assessor Diann Ballard, D-Newport.
· Poinsett County Clerk-elect Teresa Rouse, R-Harrisburg.
· Randolph County Clerk-elect Rhonda Blevins, R-Pocahontas.

City
· Jonesboro City Council member Ann Williams.
· Marked Tree Mayor Mary Ann Arnold.
· Trumann Mayor-elect Barbara Lewallen.