February Minutes
Democratic Party of Baxter County
Meeting Minutes
Baxter County Library
2/7/26: Chair Mary O’Shields called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Shane led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes: Called for any changes to January minutes. Called for approval of minutes. Donnie Huffine made the motion. Paulette Riley 2nd and all were in favor. January minutes were accepted.
Treasury Report: Paulette Riley
As of the end of January 2026 and with ACT Blue contributions the ending balance is $11,130.38.
Update: $235 collected at meeting.
Chair Update: Mary O’Shields
Mary began the meeting by introducing officers and new members to our meeting. Mary greeted the first time attendees. We had several new guests at this meeting, as well as about 55 current members.
Primary early voting begins 2/17/26 with the primary date being 3/3/26. You may early vote at the Methodist Church in Mtn.Home.
Speaker: John Adams
John Adams is running for a non-partisan Arkansas supreme court position. This vote will take place on the PRIMARY voting date of 3/3/26.
Check out John’s website for more information: https://www.johnforjustice.org/
John is a qualified, well-spoken individual that cares about this state and the law system. He believes there are responsibilities of the state supreme court to guarantee citizens rights under the state constitution. He believes integrity is a core value and brings that to his work life. He is running because he can bring real-world legal experience, to defend stable rule of law, to make the justice system more accessible and fairer and to be an independent voice holding government power to account.
Announcements:
Johnny and Gina spoke about petition gathering (see previous month minutes for more information). They have had one petition drive at La Paloma, and will be planning more soon. They will have a booth at the farmers market starting in April. 787 signatures are needed in Baxter county.
Reminder about the changes to primary voting. Primary voting is now considered to be partially closed. Meaning if your voter registration says democrat you can only take a democrat ballot. If you’re registered as optional you may take a republican or democrat ballot. Remember, primaries will be 3/3/26 and early voting starts 2/17/26.
Micha updated the committee of the progress with the scholarship for eligible Baxter County High School Seniors. The scholarship committee decided on specifications for the scholarship and developed an application that will be available to high school students.
Paula shared information about an upcoming event for young voters. On Saturday 2/28 her organization, Like Minded Women, is hosting a young voter forum, featuring Billy Cook, from the Young Democrats of Arkansas. There will be lunch, door prizes and childcare available. It will be at St.Andrews Episcopal Church in Mtn.Home at 1:00 on Saturday 2/28/26. Text 870-918-8028 to RSVP.
St.Andrew Episcopal Church will be hosting another guest for their speaker series. On Saturday 3/7/26 at 1:00 (after our meeting). The cost will be $5 and the speaker is Beau Stringer, who writes on Substack. You can find his website at www.beaustringer.com He writes about faith, culture, and the church with two goals in mind; To be honest and To be hopeful.
If you would like to discuss something or add something to the agenda please contact Mary at meaoshields@gmail.com or Jennifer at jennifer@baxtercountydemocrats.com and we will work to add that. Remember we allow time for discussion at the end of the meeting for these items.
Chair Mary O’Shields adjourned the meeting at 11:30 p.m.
DPBC Meetings: (1st Saturdays)
March 7th: Foodbank of Northcentral Arkansas (1042 Highland Cir, Mountain Home, AR 72653)
April 4th: 10:15 Baxter County Library (300 Library Hill Ln, Mountain Home, AR 72653)
May 2nd: 10:15 Baxter County Library (300 Library Hill Ln, Mountain Home, AR 72653)
City Council Meetings: (1st and 3rd Thursdays)
Meetings take place at City Hall-720 Hickory St, Mountain Home, AR 72653
February 19th: City Hall 5 p.m.
March 5th: City Hall 5 p.m.
March 19th: City Hall 5 p.m.
County Quorum Court Meetings: (1st Tuesday)
Meetings take place at Baxter County Courthouse- 1 East 7th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653
March 3rd: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
April 7th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
May 5th: County Courthouse 6 p.m.
Mountain Home School Board Meetings (3rd Thursday)
Meetings take place at Central Office-2465 Rodeo Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653
February 19th: Central Office 6 p.m
March 19th: Central Office 6 p.m
April 16th: Central Office 6 p.m
