Rep. Broadaway Not Seeking Another Term, Focusing On Workforce Issues But May Seek Higher Office In Future

Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould, said Tuesday that she will not run for re-election in 2016. The deadline to file for the primary is November 9, 2015.

The primary elections are set for March 1, 2016.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Paragould and Oak Grove as their citizen-legislator. Despite the extension of term-limits, I have never viewed the position as being permanent,” Broadaway said in a statement.

Broadaway will continue her work in establishing workforce training in a college setting for individuals with intellectual disabilities, known as Building Better Futures.

“I was able to craft and pass enabling legislation for this ground breaking program in only two terms, which was faster than anticipated,” Broadaway said.

Once this plan has been fully implemented in the statewide universities and community colleges, Broadaway said she may seek higher political office in the future.

Broadaway took office in January, 2013, and will continue to serve until January, 2017. She is currently the chair of the Legislative Joint Audit Committee.

She is also a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Aging, Children and Military Affairs Committee, Select Committee on House Rules, Legislative Council, Claims Review Committee and Joint Budget. She serves as Vice-Chair on the Autism Task Force.

She was previously appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to be a member of the Special Task Force on Tort Reform.

Broadaway was the primary sponsor of 20 enacted laws (not including technical corrections and appropriations bills), over the last two general sessions.

Broadaway is an attorney with Broadaway & Broadaway, P.A. in Paragould.

She graduated Cum Laude from Trinity University in San Antonio, and went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.