Cody Hiland chosen as chairman of Republican Party of Arkansas

Former U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas Saturday (Dec. 3) at the group’s annual winter state committee meeting. He succeeds Jonelle Fulmer from Sebastian County, who served as chair for the last two years.

“It is a great privilege to be elected as the next Republican Party Chairman, and I am honored to lead our party into the future,” Hiland said. “Arkansas is primed for success under Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ leadership, and I look forward to working with her and our legislative members to elect more conservatives up and down the ballot. Together, we will continue to fight for conservative values in this state.”

Hiland was sworn in at the conclusion of the meeting by Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb, wife of former Arkansas GOP chairman Doyle Webb.

Members of the Republican Party of Arkansas also elected First Vice Chair John Parke of Pulaski County, Second Vice Chair June Wood of Washington County, State Secretary Julie Harris of the Washington County, and State Treasurer Nelda Speaks of Baxter County.

Hiland served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from Oct. 10, 2017 until Dec. 31, 2020. He was appointed to that position by President Donald Trump and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Prior to his appointment, he was the Prosecuting Attorney in the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner, Van Buren, and Searcy counties. In addition to private practice, Hiland also worked as an aide to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

A native of Bee Branch, Hiland attended Central Baptist College in 1990 through 1992, before receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and his Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock.