‘Hero of the Platform’: Remembering Arkansas Senator Gary Stubblefield

Beloved Arkansas State Senator Gary Stubblefield of Branch, Arkansas, who served in the General Assembly for more than a decade, died on September 2, 2025 at the age of 74.

Stubblefield had recently won re-election in 2024 as the State Senator to Senate District 26, which includes parts of Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Sebastian counties. His term was scheduled to run until January 2029. According to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office, a special election will be held to fill the seat.

Stubblefield first entered the Arkansas House of Representatives in January 2011, representing District 67.  He was elected to the Arkansas Senate in 2012, where he continued to serve until his death.

During his tenure, he chaired the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee and was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Joint Energy Committee, the Senate Efficiency Committee, the Joint Budget Committee, and the Legislative Council.

Most recently, Stubblefield was recognized with the Conduit for Commerce Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom Award, honoring his dedication to conservative principles and his service to Arkansas during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session.

Known for his deep faith and steady principles, Stubblefield gained a reputation as a dedicated public servant who consistently put the people of Arkansas first. His career was marked by a focus on conservative values, limited government, and individual liberty.

And now, let us respectfully review and honor his record and votes — a true “Hero of the Republican Platform.”  May others follow Stubblefield’s legislative work reflected in his commitment to faith, family, and freedom.

He will be remembered and missed for his leadership, his dedication to his districts, and his lasting impact on our state.

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SEN. GARY STUBBLEFIELD

  • Voted to prohibit local income taxes – HB1026 of 2023 
  • Voted to increase homestead property tax credit – HB1032 of 2023 
  • Voted to repeal the throwback rule that increases taxes – HB1045 of 2023 
  • Voted for occupational licensure compact deregulation – HB1082 of 2023  
  • Voted for increased access for childcare – HB1155 of 2023  
  • Voted for housing welfare reform – HB1196 of 2023  
  • Voted to fast track permitting in local government – HB1207 of 2023 
  • Voted for deregulations for electricians – HB1360 of 2023  
  • Voted for cash welfare reform for able-bodied adults – HB1401 of 2023 
  • Voted for election integrity reforms in updating voter registrations – HB1407 of 2023 
  • Voted to allow youth to work – HB1410 of 2023 
  • Voted for special election reform – HB1510 of 2023 
  • Voted to prohibit regulations locally on the gas/fuel industry – HB1572 of 2023 
  • Voted for improved registration requirements for PACs – HB1595 of 2023  
  • Voted to prohibit local universal basic income programs – HB1681 of 2023  
  • Voted to stop fraudsters in unemployment insurance – HB1840 of 2023  
  • Voted for deregulation to allow greater access to counseling/family therapy – SB42 of 2023 
  • Voted to prohibit discrimination by government entities – SB71 of 2023 
  • Voted for improving free speech on college campuses – SB125 of 2023  
  • Voted to prohibit excessive regulations on short term rental properties – SB197 of 2023 
  • Voted to stop election interference funding from outside groups – SB255 of 2023 
  • Voted to prohibit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes – SB258 of 2023 
  • Voted for school choice – LEARNS ACT – SB294 of 2023 
  • Voted against increasing food stamp eligibility – SB306 of 2023  
  • Voted for income tax cuts ($124 million annually) – SB549 of 2023  
  • Voted to criminalize unlawful squatting – HB1049 of 2025 
  • Voted to increase transparency in financial disclosures in local elections – HB1243 of 2025 
  • Voted to prevent fire departments from levying taxes on people not in the fire district jurisdiction – HB1416 of 2025 
  • Voted to protect private property owners’ rights against local governments – HB1510 of 2025 
  • Voted to require welfare recipients to search for work and submit a resume – HB1582 of 2025 
  • Voted to eliminate the remaining portion of the grocery tax – HB1685 of 2025 
  • Voted against new government program to subsidize certain food – HB1965 of 2025 
  • Voted to repeal state mandate on water fluoridation program – SB2 of 2025  
  • Voted against making it harder to pass citizen initiatives – SB209-211 of 2025 
  • Voted to prevent pre-filled content on voter registrations – SB272 of 2025 
  • Voted to prevent fraud in nursing home absentee ballots – SB299 of 2025 
  • Voted for increased transparency and public comment in municipal improvement districts – SB424 of 2025 
  • Voted for voter integrity for voter assistance – SB479 of 2025  
  • Voted for increased oversight over procurement of government contracts – SB565 of 2025 
  • Voted to make learning materials in government schools subject to freedom of information law – SB572 of 2025 
  • Voted for increased transparency in schools boards – SB89 of 2025 
  • Voted for increased public input at school board meetings – SB90 of 2025 
  • Voted to prohibit ranked choice voting – HB1706 of 2025 
  • Voted to prohibit food stamps used for candy/soda – SB217 of 2025 
  • Voted against new prison funding in Frankling county – SB354 of 2025 
  • Voted against new $500 million future tax increase – SB421 of 2025 
  • Voted to protect private property owners from local government rent control – SB91 of 2025 
  • Voted against the creation of new socialism/corporate welfare districts – SJR15 of 2025 
  • Voted for expanded telemedicine access – HB1063 & HB1068 of 2021 
  • Voted to protect religious freedom, even during pandemics/emergencies – HB1211 of 2021 
  • Voted to allow photographing of public records – SB194 of 2021 
  • Voted for legislative oversight over emergency declarations – SB379 of 2021 
  • Voted for expanded telemedicine use – HB1068 of 2021 
  • Voted for amended supervision requirements for nurse anesthetists – HB1198 of 2021 
  • Voted to promote working for food stamps recipients – HB1512 of 2021 
  • Voted for expansion of telemedicine to phone calls – HB1063 of 2021 
  • Voted for full practice authority for nurse midwives – HB1215 of 2021 
  • Voted for APRN’s as primary care providers in Medicaid – HB1254 of 2021 
  • Voted for workforce freedom – uniform licensing laws statewide – HB1460 of 2021 
  • Voted for school choice scholarships for children – HB1371 of 2021; SB680 of 2021 
  • Voted to return COVID19 fees to Arkansas businesses – SB301 of 2021 
  • Voted for work from home freedom – HB1416 of 2021 
  • Voted to promote work for food stamp recipients – HB1512 of 2021 
  • Voted to require child support cooperation in public housing welfare – HB1642 of 2021 
  • Voted to prohibit fraud in unemployment insurance – HB1765 of 2021 
  • Voted to protect private information of nonprofit organizations – SB535 of 2021 
  • Voted for reduced sales tax on used cars – HB1912 of 2021 
  • Voted to prohibit vaccine mandates in Arkansas – SB615 of 2021 
  • Voted to protect the constitution against federal overreach – SB298 of 2021 
  • Voted for the food freedom act – SB248 of 2021 
  • Voted for a pathway for nurse Practioners to practice to full scope of training and education – HB1258 of 2021 
  • Voted to prohibit fraud in unemployment insurance – HB1765 of 2021 
  • Voted for stand your ground 2nd amendment protections – SB24 of 2021 
  • Voted for the interstate firearms protection act – SB59 of 2021 
  • Voted for waiver of licensing, permitting, and filing fees for new businesses – SB153 of 2021 
  • Voted for transparency in the rainy day fund – SB205 of 2021 
  • Voted to exempt unemployment benefits from income taxes – SB236 of 2021 
  • Voted to prohibit an office in China for economic development lobbying – SB252 of 2021 
  • Voted for Welfare Program Integrity – SB295 of 2021 
  • Voted for sales tax exemption for coins, currency, and bullion – SB336 of 2021 
  • Voted for legislative oversight over emergency declarations – SB379 of 2021 
  • Voted to protect private information involving nonprofit organizations – SB535 of 2021 
  • Voted for Housing Design Freedom – SB170 of 2019 
  • Voted for income tax cut – SB211 of 2019 
  • Voted for unemployment tax cut for employers – SB298 of 2019 
  • Voted for civil asset forfeiture reform – SB308 of 2019 
  • Voted for homestead property tax credit increase – HB1321 of 2019 
  • Voted for sales tax cut on used vehicles – HB1342 of 2019 
  • Voted for transparency in county government spending – HB1343 of 2019 
  • Voted to allow recording of all public meetings – HB1928 of 2019 
  • Voted against the $300 million tax increase proposal – HJR1018 of 2019 
  • Voted to protect free speech on college campuses – SB156 of 2019 
  • Voted against increasing water bill fees – HB1737 of 2019 
  • Voted against Internet Tax 2.0 – SB576 of 2019 
  • Voted for increased transparency in county government spending – HB1343 of 2019 
  • Voted for campaign finance transparency – HB1010 of 2017 
  • Voted against using military retirees to raise taxes – HB1162 of 2017 
  • Voted for school choice education savings accounts – SB746 of 2017 
  • Voted against tire fees/tax increase – HB1267 of 2017 
  • Voted against the Internet Sales Tax – SB140 of 2017 
  • Voted to phase out sales tax on business inputs – SB362 of 2017 
  • Voted against a FOIA exemption for government attorneys – SB373 of 2017 
  • Voted for apprentice plumber deregulation – SB514 of 2017 
  • Voted for special election reform to prevent tax increases at special elections – SB723 of 2017 
  • Voted for required voter I.D. – HJR1016 of 2017 
Gary Stubblefield Voting Record – Conduit for Commerce Scorecard History 
Session Score Rank Awards 
2017 3/35  Conduit for Commerce Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom Award Winner  
2019 65.8% 6/35   
2021 81% 10/35   
2023 69% 7/35  
2025 47% 2/35 Conduit for Commerce Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom Award Winner