James Sturch

James Marvin Sturch (born December 8, 1990)[1] is a Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate for District 19 in his native northeast Arkansas and represents Independence, Sharp, Izard, and parts of Fulton and Randolph counties.[2] Sturch was elected to a four-year term in November 2018.

James Marvin Sturch
Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2019
Preceded by	Linda Collins-Smith
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 63rd district
In office January 2015 – January 2019
Preceded by	James McLean
Succeeded by	Stu Smith
Personal details
Born	December 8, 1990 Independence County, Arkansas, USA
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Macy Barnes Sturch
Residence	Batesville Independence County
Alma mater	University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Occupation	Office manager Classroom teacher

Education

Sturch received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with secondary education certification in social studies, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he was inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. After student teaching, he became an office manager. In 2015, he earned his Master of Public Administration degree from UALR. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist denomination.[2]

Political career

In 2014, Sturch sought the District 63 seat in the Arkansas House vacated by the Democratic incumbent James McLean. He defeated Anne Moore, 1,050 to 646, to win the Republican nomination for the position. Sturch then defeated the Democratic candidate, Lackey Gene Moody Jr., also of Batesville, 5,343 to 3,386, nearly 62% of the vote. Republicans dominated the state races in Arkansas in 2014.[3] Sturch was nearly a quarter-century younger than his Democratic opponent, and went on to become the youngest member of the 90th General Assembly at the age of 24 when he took office. For his first term in the House, Sturch was assigned to the House committees on: (1) Rules, (2) Aging, Children and Youth Legislative and Military Affairs, and (3) Public Transportation.

As a candidate for re-nomination in 2016, he defeated Phillip Finch in the Republican primary, and was unopposed in the general election.[4] Sturch served on the House Education committee and State Agencies committee his second term.

In 2018, Sturch was elected State Senator by an overwhelming majority of 73% of the general election vote. For the 92nd General Assembly, he currently serves on the Senate Education and Agriculture/Economic Development committees. Sturch is currently the youngest State Senator, and one of the youngest in Arkansas history.

He is also the Vice Chair of Senate Rules committee. Whether it is improving our schools, reforming the tax code or opening our state for business, Senator Sturch has helped move policies forward that expand opportunities for all hard-working Arkansans.

Public Service

Sturch has a passion for public service that began at a young age, when he first volunteered for a state gubernatorial campaign more than 15 years ago. Sturch continues to volunteer for a number of organizations that promote civic engagement and public service for all ages. He currently serves as a board member for the Batesville Kiwanis Club. James and his wife Macy reside in Southside, AR.

References

1. "James Sturch's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
2. "James Sturch". arkansashouse.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
3. "District 59". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
4. Wilkey, Michael (February 18, 2016). "Republicans Sturch, Finch face off in House District 63 primary". The City Wire. Retrieved 12 April 2016.

External links

• https://senate.arkansas.gov/senators/james-sturch/
• https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AR/92174/Web02-state.216038/#/c/C_2