“I know firsthand how decisions our leaders make affect our children and their futures. Our kids suffer most when our legislators choose to defund our public schools, rather than invest in them.”
LITTLE ROCK – Veteran early childhood educator Erika Askeland launched her campaign to unseat Republican State Senator Dan Sullian in District 20, which includes the majority of Jonesboro, the western parts of Nettleton, and the entirety of Bono, Pleasant Grove and Herndon Township. For 19 years, Askeland has worked in Northeast Arkansas schools, including Pre-K in Jonesboro and Elementary in Marked Tree and Brookland.
“For nearly 20 years, I have told my students that with hard work, they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. Sadly, I fear that our state will be unable to fulfill that promise to our kids,” said Askeland, who graduated from Jonesboro High School and Arkansas State University. “Now, we aren’t investing in our kids’ futures the way we ought to be or the way we used to. Our kids here in Northeast Arkansas don’t have the same opportunities that I grew up with. The guarantees we had about having a better life than our parents aren’t promises we can make anymore.”
Sullivan, who served in the State House for three terms before being elected to the State Senate in 2020, has made national headlines for his disastrous and hateful legislative record that includes defunding public schools via the LEARNS Act, restricting access to books in public libraries, and attempting to gut the Freedom of Information Act. A leading voice against the Craighead Public Library, Sullivan has vowed defund any library associated with the American Library Association if he wins reelection.
“Northeast Arkansas has so much promise, and our Senator should work in our best interest. Dan Sullivan has shown he’s only interested in furthering his own personal interests,” explained Askeland. “I know firsthand how decisions our leaders make affect our children and their futures. Our kids suffer most when our legislators choose to defund our public schools, rather than invest in them."
“We must create a future for our state where hard work can lead any student in our state to success, no matter where they get their start. Every kid, in every public school in Arkansas, deserves a pathway to success. I’m running for Senate to invest in our public schools, protect our children, and support our families.”
Askeland filed her candidate paperwork on Thursday afternoon at the State Capitol and plans to hold a public kick off event in early January 2024. Press inquiries can be sent to [email protected]