November Minutes
November Minutes
Democrat Party of Baxter County
Meeting Minutes
Baxter County Library
11/1/25
Chair Mary O’Shields called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Donnie led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes: Called for any changes to October minutes. Called for approval of minutes. Nell Doyle made the motion. Ann Glueck 2nd and all were in favor. October minutes were accepted.
Treasury Report: Mary O’Shields
As of the end of October 2025 and with ACT Blue contributions the ending balance is $9635.
Chair Update: Mary O’Shields
Mary began the meeting by introducing officers and new members to our meeting. Mary greeted the first time attendees. There were many new attendees in our standing room only meeting!
Poll workers are still needed. If you are interested see Lindsey Roberts at the Courthouse. There will be training in January and you are paid for your time.
Mary spoke re: an upcoming potential resolution that will be presented at the Democrat Party of Arkansas meeting in December to make a change to the Democratic Party of Arkansas's rules to prohibit accepting corporate money. An email form will be mailed out closer to time, so that committee members can weigh in before the delegates attend the meeting. You can find that proposed resolution on our website https://www.democratsofbaxtercounty.com/news/dpa-to-consider-resolution.
Mary also discussed adopting a family for Christmas through the LT thrift store on Mtn.Home High School Campus. People overwhelmingly approved. We will collect monetary donations at the December meeting to adopt a family for Christmas.
Mary announced our local candidates-Carrie Huddlestion- running for Arkansas House District 3, Micha Johnson-running for Quorum Court District 8, and Mary O’Shields-running for City Council.
Speakers:
Ethan Dunbar
Ethan is running in the primary election (March 3, 2026) for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Arkansas. Mr.Dunbar is a lifelong public servant and a proven leader. Born in Chicago and raised in Lewisville, Ethan dedicated more than 33 years to the United States Army, retiring in 2015 as a decorated Command Sergeant Major. His decades of honorable service instilled in him the values of discipline, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the people he serves.
In 2018, he was elected Mayor of Lewisville, and in 2022, the people re-elected him for a second term. As mayor, Ethan has worked to improve infrastructure, expand housing opportunities, and restore civic pride in his hometown.
Beyond city hall, Ethan plays an active role in advancing Arkansas communities. He serves on the Democratic Party of Arkansas Executive Committee, representing the 4th Congressional District, and is the 1st Vice President of the Democratic Party of Lafayette County. He is also a founding member of the Lafayette County Leadership Council, a nonprofit dedicated to community service and improving quality of life. His civic engagement extends further through service as District Governor for Lions Club International District 7L, as Past President of the Stamps Rotary Club, and as an active, lifelong member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Ethan’s commitment to service is underpinned by a strong academic foundation. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Master of Science in Management/Public Relations from the University of Maryland University College and went on to achieve a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies from the University of Central Arkansas. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Ethan is a man of faith, guided by a divinely called mission to pursue justice and equality while living as a faithful Christian. He is running for the U.S. Senate to promote servant leadership, accountability, and return civility to our political process, putting people first in politics. His goal is clear: to serve his community as an extension of his faith.
Ethan has learned grit and determination and to stay focused from years in the military and as a public servant. He talked about how we need a mindset shift-we’ve gotten mean spirited with our political discourse, and it's important we shift those conversations. We may not agree with everyone, but we’re all part of the same community and respect is important. Leaders need more compassion and empathy for people who have less than them-if not they are a callous leader. Ethan feels his values-duty, loyalty, personal courage and a servant's heart make him well suited for the US senate and to represent Arkansas.
Learn more about Ethan at https://ethanforarkansas.com
Hallie Shoffner
Hallie is running in the primary election (March 3, 2026) for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Arkansas. Hallie grew up in Newport and attended Vanderbilt University. She comes from a long line of farmers and came home to farm when her family needed help. As a 6th generation farmer, she knows what it means to have to fight for everything you have, while still getting hammered by an economy that’s rigged. Her own family farm faced closure in early 2025 and we see the number of farm closures increase everyday (½ the farms could close in the next year). Ag is the biggest economy in Arkansas and Tom Cotton voted against the farm bill twice. Cotton’s tax cuts are for land barons and ignore the everyday people. She’s ready to roll up her sleeves and work like a FARMER.
Hallie also is ready to fight for social security, medicaid, medicare and SNAP benefits-all programs that Cotton continually tries to cut because they are “liberal entitlements”.
She discussed food insecurity in Arkansas-¼ of kids in Arkansas go hungry. There has to be a more sustainable food system in this state and she is focusing on food banks throughout the state. She sits on the board of the Arkansas Food Banks and we need more food security. She donated $1000 to the Foodbank of Northcentral Arkansas at the meeting. Mr.Jeff Quick, CEO and Mrs.Stewart a food bank board member received the check and Hallie was also able to go look at some of the Food banks projects, including their garden that supplies the area with fresh vegetables.
Hallie says she’s not a politician, she is not much for political parties, and she’s never ran for office-all she’s wanted to do was farm. But if she can’t farm-she’s going to fight-for families, for Arkansas, for the everyday Arkansan.
To learn more about Hallie go to https://www.hallieshoffner.com/.
Fred Love
Fred is running to be the next governor of Arkansas. Mr.Love is a member of the Arkansas State Senate, representing District 15. Fred’s defining words are faith, hardwork, community and education and feels his duty is to be in service to mankind. He’s running to ensure those values shape Arkansas’s future — not just for a few, but for every child, every family, every community. Fred believes the government must measure success by the lives improved, not the headlines made and that is why he’s running: to put people first, to lead with integrity, and to ensure that no Arkansan is left behind.
Fred outlined his plans for economic development, education and health. Economic hubs need to be advanced. Mr.Love spoke about education and the travesty that millions of dollars are being funneled into private schools-but public schools are left in the lurch. He believes all students should have free lunch and that the state can make that happen. In the area of health-the ACA was passed to help rural health systems and if that is decimated, rural hospitals will continue to close leaving many without care. Medicaid has to be protected at all costs. If we cannot protect medicaid we can protect our hospitals or Arkansas citizens.
Fred would like to expand apprenticeship and entrepreneur programs in our state to advance place-based economies. This is the key to driving the economy and moving forward. All of these things must work together-economic development, education and health. If one fails, Arkansasl flounders.
Direct democracy is important and needs to be protected. This is the public's only way to fight against the legislature controlling the narratives and what gets pushed through the state government. Voter led initiatives are crucial for our state.
Mr.Love has a wonderful website- please look at it here https://fredloveforgovernor.com/
We want to thank all our speakers, they were wonderful and we are so excited for their campaigns. If you are interested in giving, that can be done through their websites.
Announcements:
Join us next month for a Christmas Potluck at our December meeting next month. Note the Date Change-SUNDAY DECEMBER 7th at 2:00 at the Food Bank of NorthCentral Arkansas Event Room. It’s been a wild year, but we’ve stayed busy and we’ve seen a lot of growth. Lets come together for some food and fellowship. We’ll provide the main dish-Italian food and drinks. If your last name starts with A-K bring a side dish, if your last name starts with L-Z bring a dessert! Come as you are or in your Christmas gear, all are welcome!
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 12:30 p.m.
DPBC Meetings: (1st Saturdays)
SUNDAY December 7th: Food Bank of Northcentral Arkansas Event Room (1042 Highland Cir, Mountain Home, AR 72653) 2:00 Meeting and Christmas Potluck
City Council Meetings: (1st and 3rd Thursdays)
Meetings take place at City Hall-720 Hickory St, Mountain Home, AR 72653
November 20th: City Hall 5 p.m.
December 4th: City Hall 5 p.m.
December 18th: 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
December 2nd: 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
November 20th: Central Office 6 p.m
December 18th: Central Office 6 p.m
