Jannie Cotton to serve as interim chair for state Democrats

Democratic Party of Arkansas vice chair Jannie Cotton will assume the role of interim chair effective July 15, overseeing the party prior to the election of a new chair at the next state committee meeting.

DPA chair Grant Tennille announced a week ago that he would be stepping down from the post after four years as the party’s leader.

“We are so thankful for Chair Tennille’s leadership, and the party is in a far better position than we were when he took over,” said Cotton. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our party during this transition period. Our future could not be brighter. Arkansas Democrats are ready to step up, do the work, and hold Republicans accountable at the ballot box in 2026.”

The Democratic Party of Arkansas executive committee approved the vacancy procedures for the upcoming chair’s election. The DPA will hold elections within 60 days, in accordance with party rules. The executive committee met on July 10, 2025, to establish the following procedures:

• August 4, 2025 (12:00 noon): Deadline to file notice of candidacy;
• August 8, 2025 (7:00 p.m.): Deadline to submit nominating petitions (requiring signatures from at least 10 State Committee members);
• The State Committee meeting to elect a new Chair will be on Saturday, August 16 at 2 PM in Little Rock at the Four Points Sheraton (925 S. University Ave).

Cotton is the retired CEO of Professional Counseling Associates (PCA) in North Little Rock, where she served for 20 years, including 13 years as CEO. She holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Central Arkansas.