Rep. Crawford seeks re-election to district that includes parts of Fort Smith, Barling

Rep. Cindy Crawford, R-Fort Smith, announced Tuesday (Sept. 5) she will seek a fourth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Crawford was first elected to the House in 2018.

The District 51 House seat covers the southeastern part of Fort Smith, most of Barling and parts of Chaffee Crossing.

Crawford, CEO of the Fort Smith-based Hannah House Foundation, is on the House Judiciary Committee, House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, Arkansas Legislative Council, the Joint Performance Committee, and is vice-chair of the House Judiciary Juvenile Justice and Child Support Subcommittee.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to represent the people of House District 51 for three terms in the Arkansas State Legislature. We have had three very successful legislative sessions focused on areas such as education, tax cuts, job growth, public safety, and pro-life values,” Crawford said in a statement. “However, there is still work to be done and we can’t stop now. Just like I promised when I first ran in 2018, I am committed to fighting the good fight of faith in the halls of the State Capital and I am still standing with YOU, The People. I am asking for your support once again to represent you as Representative for House District 51.”

During the recent legislative session, Rep. Crawford supported and co-sponsored several pieces of so-called “culture war” legislation pushed by Arkansas Republicans. The legislation included:
• Act 274 – a law that would allow healthcare professionals to be sued for medical practice for gender-affirming procedures.
• Act 317 – a law which doesn’t allow individuals using the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
• Act 411 – a law that prevents Arkansas from investing in publicly-held companies engaged in ESG (environmental, social and governance) actions.
• Act 619 – a law that would charge someone with a misdemeanor for refusing to or making an attempt to leave, if they are in the bathroom of the opposite sex while a child is present. Crawford was the primary House sponsor for the Senate Bill (SB 270) that became Act 619.

No Democrat has announced for the District 51 seat.