Cody Hiland, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas (“RPA”) at the party’s State Committee meeting on Saturday, December 3, in Little Rock. In a voice vote with one audible opposing vote, voting delegates approved former chairman Doyle Webb’s motion to elect Hiland, as well as the other unopposed Executive Committee candidates:
John Parke of Little Rock, 1st Vice Chair (re-elected)
June Wood of Fayetteville, 2nd Vice Chair
Julie Harris of Springdale, Secretary (re-elected)
State Rep. Nelda Speaks of Mountain Home, Treasurer
Hiland, who lives in Little Rock with his wife Jana, succeeds past Chair Jonelle Fulmer, who took over two years ago from Webb, who held the position for 12 years before that.
RPA Executive Director Sarah Jo Reynolds will also leave that position after six years at RPA headquarters.
Republican Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who supports Hiland’s election, said
“The Republican Party of Arkansas will have a strong, steady leader with a bold vision to recruit and elect conservative candidates up and down the ballot….
“Cody has been a tough on crime successful and respected prosecutor and U.S. Attorney, and he had my full support for Chairman from the beginning … Defeating the radical left and ensu[r]ing we are all fighting to preserve the Arkansas we know and love is our mission, and Cody and I share that belief. The RPA is in good hands under his leadership.”
Photo: public domain