Report from the Democratic Party of Arkansas, State Convention

 Cortney Warwick

I am only going to say something positive about yesterday's Democratic Party of Arkansas convention. While some Democrats just wanted to hear frilly speeches and leave by 3 pm, a full third in attendance voted down the platform. It wasn't enough of course, but it was inspiring to see such a large group speak up for something more, even if 2/3 of the party was quick to dismiss them-----I see hope. Not for the future of our party, but for the future of our state. Words matter. And what's in the platform matters.

Bill Bradshaw

From what I saw, it was mostly young people voting for more debate at the convention, or against the platform. But from Montgomery County, everyone is over forty, and no one voted for the platform in the current form. The attendance was great. More folks than four years ago for the presidential election convention.

Two hours for debate might have been enough, but twenty minutes was totally inadequate for a platform debate of such importance.

The proposed functional platform is a great start for two years hence. Let's be ready for the next time.

It had enough support that I would see it as an addendum to the platform from the young democrats -progressive populist,- socialist caucuses of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

I appreciate the efforts and time put into this revision of the platform. I am keeping my copy and going to edit and add to it.

Again, thanks to everyone who was there and some people who were not. I'm very encouraged by what I saw yesterday.

Stay calm and carry on. We have come a long way.

Here is a link to Google Docs of the Proposed Functional DPA Platform.

If you scroll down to the place where it turns green, you will see the changes made by the Young Dems and the progressive caucus. Kinda long but worth the read.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iAHwOPFJ58STOTy0rRCn-VFc8J4-EiRszeo3EeQzn2g/edit?usp=drivesdk

Lela Chism

This morning at the Arkansas Democrats State Convention, I am hoping we will suspend the rules and open discussion around a platform that speaks more directly to working people in Arkansas --- healthcare, wages, housing, labor rights, infrastructure, and public investment.

I think a lot of people are hungry for something more materially grounded than the same recycled “big tent” messaging.

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Update from after Convention:

The motion to suspend the rules to allow a fuller platform discussion and submissions of amendments ultimately failed, with around 120 in favor and a little over 200 against.

A lot of the discussion framed the effort as being against coalition building, a “purity test,” or choosing moral victories over electoral victories. But from my perspective as an organizer here in central Arkansas this was never about symbolic politics or narrowing the coalition. It was ALWAYS about whether the Democratic Party in Arkansas is willing to have a deeper conversation about the conditions people are actually living through. To me, wanting a more robust and materially grounded platform strengthens coalition building, not weakens it. A broad coalition only works if people can actually recognize their lives and struggles reflected in what the party is prioritizing.

Honestly, it was disappointing to see resistance to even having an extended platform discussion at the convention. The suspension would have guaranteed delegates time to debate and discuss the platform in depth, and I believe that’s something a healthy democratic party should be willing to do. I also think it’s important to note that organizations like Arkansas Abortion Support Network had a comment of concerns they had about the platform’s abortion language and restrictions before final passage.

Even with this outcome, I still see it as a starting point. There are clearly people inside and outside the party who want a more materially grounded, working-class-focused Democratic Party in Arkansas. The work continues

Corey Spangler

The only insight I have worth sharing about today’s Democratic Party of Arkansas State Convention is that the old guard truly doesn’t understand the game they think they’re playing. The most indicative comment of that problem was when someone said, “You want to see your target audience, go read the RPA platform,” and I’ve spent hours thinking about that.

They truly think our target audience is literal republicans. We literally passed a platform that was tailored for literal republicans. We passed a platform that only gave lip service to exceptions to the total abortion ban; the chair was sure to mention rape, incest, and emergency exceptions, but there’s literally no explicit endorsement of the legalization of elective abortion up to 24 weeks (the Roe standard) or even 12 weeks for medication abortion. The Democratic Party of Arkansas completely de-platformed elective abortion today in the name of capturing the votes of republicans, our target audience.

People aren’t looking for us to explain how we’re the same as the Republican Party, because people say that both parties are the same. The solution to that is to not prove them right by ratcheting your party further right and setting it back by 50 years. It’s to offer new ideas and explain how you’re different. The same thing goes for offering platitudes about how bad healthcare is, but never offering an alternative to private subsidies. Show us how you’ll get us to a public option. Our audience isn’t Republicans, it’s the people of Arkansas. We’re not meant to be pandering to anyone; we’re meant to be offering a vision for a better future.

Rachael Williams

I’ve had a day to sit with my thoughts after attending the Arkansas Democratic Party State Convention yesterday as my county party co-chair and as a delegate. I need to be honest with y’all: I’m deeply disappointed.

The platform that was voted on yesterday is, at best, uninspiring and at worst, a signal that the Arkansas Democratic Party has learned absolutely nothing from our losses. We are hemorrhaging voters and our response is to inch further right and offer the blandest, most cautious version of ourselves possible?

Where is the fire? Where is the boldness? Arkansans are struggling with healthcare costs, unplanned pregnancies with NO legal abortion access, poverty, and a government that actively works against them and we gave them carefully worded hedges and safe language.

Nancy McDonald

As a Delegate, I appreciate all of the work that continues in making our Party better. Thank you. I had an hour conversation with Rhone a few days before the Convention and told him I thought many would support revisions to the 2026-2028 Platform if they had been engaged and presented as part of the process and rules bylaws. Asking delegates at the Convention to interrupt the Agenda for a minimum of 2 hours when so much work had already been done, with speakers from the National DNC, and to accommodate candidate schedules, I thought was unreasonable. I told Rhone I would give careful consideration to changes as part of the process for 2028.

Yes, I want us to be encouraging younger members, continue being the “Big Tent” that we are, appealing to new voters, registering more voters, and electing Democrats.

Count me as a supporter for all voices to be heard. That is what makes our Democracy work - or not…

“RUSS” James Richard Russell III

Due to scheduling, I was not able to speak at this past weekend's Democratic State Convention. I want to make something perfectly clear - this was NOT the fault of the Democratic Party of Arkansas in any way, shape, or form. They offered me every opportunity to do so in advance, and I declined because I genuinely did not think that my travel and campaigning plans for that day would permit me the time. They did graciously reach out to me, asking for a brief statement to send out to everyone. Below is a copy of that statement for anyone who might not otherwise see it. Special thanks to Micah Wallace for her diligence and patience with me during the entire process.

My fellow Democrats,

I am honored to serve as your nominee for Arkansas’s fourth congressional district in the 2026 midterm elections. The fight for a more perfect union is eternal and is one that we must all engage in together.

The fight for equal rights and opportunities under the law, healthcare as a human right, women's full bodily autonomy, and protections for our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

The fight to prevent the corporatization of our democracy, to root out the corrupting influence of would-be oligarchs over our elected officials.

The fight to protect our natural resources from exploitation, and to protect the rights of every working class family to living wages, affordable necessities like groceries, utilities, and fuel; and the ability engage in collective bargaining.

The fight to live in a world where peaceful resolutions are once again sought in earnest and military action is used solely as a final resort.

And, most importantly, the fight against the rising tide of fascist authoritarianism that threatens the freedoms of every man, woman, and child today and in the future.

We must face these challenges together shoulder to shoulder. We must be willing to disagree without undermining these larger objectives. We must be willing to have the hard discussions with our neighbors with whom we may not agree, but with whom we must live and whose rights we must defend with equal vigor. We are a state and a nation of many who are one. Let us never feel alone or unequal to the task at hand. We WILL prevail. We MUST prevail. We SHALL persist.

Again, I am honored and privileged to serve as your nominee for Congress. As you may have heard me say in person, "Now, let's do this thing."

Yours in love and justice,

James "Rus" Russell,

Democratic nominee, AR 4th Congressional District, 2026

Malcom Kenyatta, DNC Vice Chair, speaking at the DPA convention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0yMSNoPvZg&t=162s

Hallie Shoffner at the convention!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVpBs87lSio

The Trumpsters and Rethuglican leadership are planning to steal the midterm elections.

 

This is the time to stand on the principles of the Constitution. The Trumpster and RNC have stated publicly that they are planning to steal the midterm elections.

Senator Tom Cotton , Senator John Boozman, Congressman Bruce Westerman. Do your job. Impeach this Trumpster, convicted felon crook, pedo file. He along with his sidekicks and criminal cabal are destroying the economy, the environment (Crimes against Nature) and the energy delivery systems of America and the world economy. To say nothing about the crimes by the ICE thugs in Minnesota and all over the country.

This also makes the American government and you a party (by your failure to stop this) to the war crimes this administration is responsible for! If you fail to stand up as a representative of, and for the people who you are supposed to re-present for, you are complicit. The people created a government. All power is in, and from the people.
#25thAmendment #Impeach #convict #WeThePeople

https://youtu.be/TzgypBkIzPk?si=1KNMYyPgNDPFXpbF

Opening Talk: Regenerative Farming for Farm Survival and Renewal

  Opening Talk: Regenerative Farming for Farm Survival and Renewal

Friends and neighbors,

I want to begin by saying something simple and honest:
Farming is getting harder, not easier.

Many of you are facing rising costs for fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, diesel, and seed. Every year it seems like you have to spend more just to grow the same crop, on the same ground, for the same or even lower price. And too often, after all the work and all the risk, there’s not much left over for your family or your future.

You are not failing.
The system is failing you.

The industrial chemical model of agriculture has locked farmers into a cycle of dependency—buying more inputs each year while soil health declines, water runs off, and debt piles up. It’s a treadmill that keeps speeding up.

But there is another path forward. And it’s being proven by farmers across this country and around the world.

That path is called regenerative agriculture.

Regenerative farming is based on a simple idea:
When we work with nature instead of against it, the land becomes more productive, more resilient, and less expensive to operate.

Healthy soil is not just dirt—it’s a living system. When soil is alive with microbes, fungi, and organic matter, it can feed plants naturally, hold water like a sponge, resist drought, and reduce pests and disease without constant chemical intervention. In a regenerative system, fertility comes from biology, not from a bag or a jug.

A key part of this process is restoring carbon to the soil. Carbon is the foundation of soil fertility. When we build soil carbon through cover crops, diverse plantings, compost, and managed grazing, we increase organic matter. That organic matter allows soil to hold more water, store more nutrients, and remain productive even in drought or heavy rain. More carbon in the soil means healthier crops, healthier pastures, and less dependence on purchased fertilizers. It also helps stabilize the climate by storing carbon safely underground where it belongs, instead of losing it to the atmosphere. In simple terms: when carbon returns to the soil, life returns to the soil—and the farm becomes more resilient and productive.

Farmers who have made this transition have found something remarkable. As they rebuild their soil and diversify their operations, they often cut their input costs dramatically—sometimes by half, sometimes by far more. That means more money stays in the farmer’s pocket instead of going to chemical and seed corporations.

These regenerative systems rely on a few core principles:
Keep living roots in the soil.
Keep the soil covered.
Increase plant diversity.
Integrate livestock in a managed way that mimics nature.
Minimize disturbance from excessive tillage and chemicals.

When those principles are followed, something powerful happens. Soil organic matter increases. Rain soaks in instead of running off. Pastures grow thicker. Crops become more resilient. Livestock become healthier. And farms begin to regain their profitability and independence.

This isn’t theory. It’s happening right now on real farms run by practical people who were once in the same position many of you are in—facing rising costs, declining soil, and uncertain futures. They didn’t change because it was trendy. They changed because they needed their farms to survive.

And the benefits go far beyond the farm gate.
Cleaner water.
Healthier food.
Stronger rural communities.
Less chemical exposure for farm families and neighbors.
Land that improves, instead of wearing out.

Regenerative agriculture is called regenerative for a reason: it restores what has been depleted. It rebuilds soil instead of stripping it. It restores water cycles instead of draining them. It strengthens farm economics instead of undermining them.

Most importantly, it offers hope.

No one is saying this transition happens overnight. It takes learning, observation, and sometimes starting small—one field, one pasture, one new practice at a time. But the evidence is growing every year that farms can reduce dependence on expensive inputs and move toward systems that are healthier, more resilient, and more profitable.

This conversation isn’t about politics or ideology.
It’s about survival.
It’s about keeping farms on the land.
It’s about making sure the next generation has something worth inheriting.

If we can rebuild our soils, we can rebuild our farms.
If we can rebuild our farms, we can rebuild our rural communities.
And if we do it right, we can leave this land better than we found it.

Thank you for being willing to listen, to share, and to consider that a different path forward is possible—for your farm, your family, and the generations that come after us.

5-Minute Opening Talk: Regenerative Farming for Farm Survival and Renewal** 

 Friends and neighbors, I want to begin by saying something simple and honest: Farming is getting harder, not easier. Many of you are facing rising costs for fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, diesel, and seed. Every year it seems like you have to spend more just to grow the same crop, on the same ground, for the same or even lower price. And too often, after all the work and all the risk, there’s not much left over for your family or your future. You are not failing. The system is failing you.

 The industrial chemical model of agriculture has locked farmers into a cycle of dependency—buying more inputs each year while soil health declines, water runs off, and debt piles up. It’s a treadmill that keeps speeding up. But there is another path forward. And it’s being proven by farmers across this country and around the world. That path is called regenerative agriculture. Regenerative farming is based on a simple idea: When we work with nature instead of against it, the land becomes more productive, more resilient, and less expensive to operate. Healthy soil is not just dirt—it’s a living system. When soil is alive with microbes, fungi, and organic matter, it can feed plants naturally, hold water like a sponge, resist drought, and reduce pests and disease without constant chemical intervention. In a regenerative system, fertility comes from biology, not from a bag or a jug.

 Farmers who have made this transition have found something remarkable. As they rebuild their soil and diversify their operations, they often cut their input costs dramatically—sometimes by half, sometimes by far more. That means more money stays in the farmer’s pocket instead of going to chemical and seed corporations. 

 These regenerative systems rely on a few core principles: Keep living roots in the soil. Keep the soil covered. Increase plant diversity. Integrate livestock in a managed way that mimics nature. Minimize disturbance from excessive tillage and chemicals. When those principles are followed, something powerful happens. Soil organic matter increases. Rain soaks in instead of running off. Pastures grow thicker. Crops become more resilient. Livestock become healthier. And farms begin to regain their profitability and independence. This isn’t theory. It’s happening right now on real farms run by practical people who were once in the same position many of you are in—facing rising costs, declining soil, and uncertain futures. 

They didn’t change because it was trendy. They changed because they needed their farms to survive. And the benefits go far beyond the farm gate. Cleaner water. Healthier food. Stronger rural communities. Less chemical exposure for farm families and neighbors. Land that improves instead of wearing out. Regenerative agriculture is called regenerative for a reason: it restores what has been depleted. It rebuilds soil instead of stripping it. It restores water cycles instead of draining them. It strengthens farm economics instead of undermining them. Most importantly, it offers hope. 

 No one is saying this transition happens overnight. It takes learning, observation, and sometimes starting small—one field, one pasture, one new practice at a time. But the evidence is growing every year that farms can reduce dependence on expensive inputs and move toward systems that are healthier, more resilient, and more profitable.

 This conversation isn’t about politics or ideology. It’s about survival. It’s about keeping farms on the land. It’s about making sure the next generation has something worth inheriting. If we can rebuild our soils, we can rebuild our farms. If we can rebuild our farms, we can rebuild our rural communities. And if we do it right, we can leave this land better than we found it. Thank you for being willing to listen, to share, and to consider that a different path forward is possible—for your farm, your family, and the generations that come after us. :::

Introduction Plan; Regenerative Agriculture Alternatives for Struggling Farmers.

 

Introduction Plan: Regenerative Alternatives for Struggling Farmers

1. Start with the Farmer’s Reality

• Acknowledge the struggle:
  “You’re not alone. Many farmers are squeezed by rising costs for seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and fuel, while the price for your crops or livestock hasn’t kept up. The current system is breaking farmers, not supporting them.”

• Set the stage:
  “We don’t have to keep going broke buying the same poisons and inputs year after year. There’s another way.”

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2. Introduce the Core Idea

Regenerative Agriculture — working with nature instead of against it.

• Joel Salatin: stacked enterprises, direct markets, and farm diversity that create more profit per acre.

• Gabe Brown: soil health principles that eliminate dependence on expensive chemicals.

• Allan Savory: holistic planned grazing that heals grasslands and restores water cycles.

• Soil Carbon Cowboys: real farmers who cut costs, built soil, and brought life back to their farms without relying on chemical companies.

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3. Why Regenerative Systems Work

• Soil is alive: Healthy soil organisms cycle nutrients, hold water, and replace chemical fertilizers.

• Diversity creates resilience: More species = fewer pests, less disease, better drought resistance.

• Livestock as partners: Managed grazing mimics natural herd movement, regenerating grasslands.

• Lower costs, higher profits: By cutting inputs, farmers reduce debt and keep more money.

• Health benefits: Cleaner food, water, and air for farm families and rural communities.

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4. Frame It in Economic Terms First

• “This isn’t about being ‘organic’ or chasing a trend—it’s about keeping your farm in business.”

• Share numbers or case studies: farmers who cut fertilizer and pesticide costs by 50–90%, or who doubled soil organic matter in a few years.

• Stress: Regenerative farming doesn’t rely on chemical corporations. It gives farmers independence.

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5. Show, Don’t Just Tell

• Invite them to watch a short Soil Carbon Cowboys video—peer-to-peer examples are powerful.

• If possible, schedule a field walk or demo plot showing cover crops, grazing paddocks, or soil infiltration tests.

• Farmers trust other farmers more than experts—lean on real-world success stories.

---

6. Extend the Invitation

• “This isn’t a quick fix, but it’s a proven path forward. You can start small—on one field, with one practice, with one herd rotation.”

• Provide resources (local mentors, videos, workshops, or books).

• Leave them with hope: “Regeneration is about more than farming—it’s about leaving something better for your kids and grandkids, while making the farm pay again.”