LITTLE ROCK – On Oct 3rd, the Democratic Party of Arkansas announced the launch of the Funding Arkansas Rural Movement (FARM) grants to power Democratic candidates and organizations who are building issues-focused campaigns in areas previously represented by Republicans.

“Today’s announcement of our state party’s investment into communities that haven’t been seriously contested in years is a testament to the strength and momentum of the Democratic Party and the unprecedented reach of our message into rural, conservative parts of Arkansas,” said Will Watson, director of the party’s coordinated campaign.

In the first round of FARM Grants, the State Party announced 19 recipients of financial contributions from the Democratic Party of Arkansas: 

• Erika Askeland for State Senate – District 20, Craighead County
• Maureen Skinner for State Senate – District 17, Faulkner County
• Kwami Abdul-Bey for State Representative – District 69, Pulaski County
• Tom Bartole for State Representative – District 68, Lonoke County
• O’Dell Carr for State Representative – District 97, Union County
• Douglas Corbitt for State Representative – District 54, Faulkner County
• Lauren Faulk for State Representative – District 42, Faulkner County
• Rey Hernandez for State Representative – District 11, Washington County
• David McAvoy for State House – District 32, Craighead County
• Robin McCray for State Representative – District 50, Sebastian County
• Trevor McGarrah for State Representative – District 58, White County
• David McPherson for State Representative – District 7, Benton County
• Tom Nowlin for State Representative – District 41, Stone County
• Caitlin Oxford for State Representative – District 25, Washington County
• Daniel Parker for State Representative – District 36, Craighead County
• Robin Roark for State Representative – District 96, Dallas County
• Jane-Ellen Udouj-Kutchka for State Representative – District 51, Sebastian County
• Democratic Party of Garland County
• Democratic Party of Saline County

“Our investments into so-called “red” areas of our state mirrors our commitment to work for every voter, whether they’re with us right now or not,” said Grant Tennille, Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas. “We are going to fight hard for each and every Arkansan because we want them to know they’re welcome at our table, working for a better Arkansas.”