Dawn Clemence
Dawn Clemence (Republican Party) ran for election to the Arkansas State Senate to represent District 4. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Clemence completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Clemence earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 1985 and an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville in 1993. Her previous work experience includes manufacturing plastics injection moulding and serving as a nursing services manager. Her other work experience includes the following:[1][2]
- 1993-1995: Terminal Manager American Freightways
- 1995-1998: Senior Insurance Adjuster Progressive Insurance
- 1998-2009: Senior Specialty Representative Pfizer
- 2009-2011: Medical Distribution Rep Cardinal Health
- 2011-2014: Senior Institutional Medical Representative Forest Labs
- 2014-2016: Cardiovascular Specialty Representative Janssen Pharm.
- 2016-2018: Sales Specialist Ophthalmology Shire Biotech
Clemence has served as a lead mentor and coach for the GearHogs First Robotics Team #3612. She has also been involved with the Washington County Republican Committee, Washington County Republican Women, the Northwest Arkansas Business and Professional Women’s Organization, and Continuum of Care: Advisory for Homeless Mentorship Project.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 4
Greg Leding defeated Dawn Clemence in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 4 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Greg Leding (D) | 61.5 | 18,416 |
 | Dawn Clemence (R)  | 38.5 | 11,533 | |
| Total votes: 29,949 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 4
Greg Leding advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 4 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Greg Leding |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 4
Dawn Clemence advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 4 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Dawn Clemence |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dawn Clemence completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Clemence's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Higher Paying Jobs Reform Education Sustainable Government
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Economic Growth: I am proposing a new focus in NWA - higher paying jobs. We need to look at how we can train our students and displaced workers to get high-paying, high-demand jobs, through college or Tech careers that will support them and their families. Education: Earlier education in high schools, collaborating with current employers and new one, is essential to train-up a high-tech workforce. Sustainable Government: As the gap between revenue and expenses grows wider, it may seem that sustainable government is unattainable. Not so. We must question what government does and how it does it with a never-ending drive to create and deliver public value at the lowest possible cost.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Coming from a business background, I have studied and Milton Friedman, Pres. Calvin Coolidge, William Buckley JR, Mark Levin, Frederic Bastiat, F.A Hayek and Thomas Sowell to mention a few. I am a conservative and believe in individual rights, personal responsibility and property rights. My local mentors include Judges, High School principals, Chiefs of Police and successful candidates for State Senate and House seats.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I would recommend the following books - all written by Mark Levin, a constitutional lawyer, president of the prestigious Landmake Legal Foundation in Washington D.C, a top-rated nationally syndicated conservative talk radio host and best selling non-fiction author: LIberty & Tyranny, Ameritopia The Unmaking of America, Plunder and Deceit: Big Governments Exploitation of Young People and the Future, Rediscovering Americanism: and the Tyranny of Progressivism. Men In Black. While Mark Levin is a favorite of mine, I also enjoy reading from Calvin Coolidge, Justice Anton Scalia and Clarence Thomas and Thomas Sowell.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and Integrity, Tenacity, servant leadership, collaboration, networking, excellent listener and a great capacity to remain humble and true to the voters.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Honesty, Integrity, Tenancity, servant leadership, collaboration, networking, excellent listener with a great capacity to remain humble and true to the voters. I am not politician and that is what the people are yearning for today. I am a working person just like most people. I started in Manufacturing working in a factory and used that job to get me thru college, Once I got my Masters Degree in Business, I became a manager and later worked in Insurance and Medical. With over 30 years combined of Manufacturing, Management, Insurance and Medical work experiences, I am uniquely qualified to serve my voters as a REAL WORLD Legislator #RWL.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Primary responsibilities of a Senator include: developing budget packages, making taxation decisions, passing legislation, allocating spending, and redistricting in collaboration with other senators and the house of representatives. Legislators are called upon by their constituents to assist them with local problems such as individual concerns regarding Medicaid claims, Veterans benefits, awareness of Mental Health and so much more. I recently attended an Opioid Crisis Awareness Week hosted by the College Republicans where they invited the Lt. Governor, County Judge and several House Reps to speak and share their personal experiences. Helping constituents is a very rewarding part of this job.
What legacy would you like to leave?
The retiring encumbent left guidance from a report published by the NWA Leader which states that the labor market and employee base are negative factors in recruiting new industries to NWA. Fayetteville is experiencing an increase in the poverty level. We must turn this around and that is what I have been working on for a couple of years now. The key to our success is going to be high-tech jobs, reforming education and making sure we keep our cost of living down. I am proposing a high-tech center that includes skills training center that will take low income people and increase their skills - to increase their wages. My legacy, I hope will be Making Arkansas Stronger by increasing wages & skills so that people will be able to work and live in this district and raise thier families.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I have a very clear memory of 4 big events. I would have been 5, 6 & 7 years of age. These events include; June 6, 1967 Six-Day Arab//Israeli war, Dec 3, 1967 First Heart Transplant, Apr 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr and July 20, 1969 Apollo 11. My parents were very highly educated and made sure all of us kids were very aware of events that impacted thier lives.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was working in a factory with Plastics Injection moulding. I started on the floor picking parts at $3.10/hour and worked my way up to Quality Control after 2 years and Sales / prototype design after 4. I worked this job full-tme and attended the North Arkansas Community College full-time. I then transferred to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and earned my Bachelors Degree in Business Management. This job helped fund my college education. I graduated debt free!
What happened on your most awkward date?
My date boasted that he didnt think Women should be managers and that he would hate to work for a women who was a manager. He had bad experiences working for women. I asked if he knew what I did for a living and he replied No. I explained to him that I was a manager. He apologized and we had a good laugh. He did have some good reasons for his bad feelings towards women managers. After meeting me his impression of women managers improved greatly.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I love Christmas Eve because it is a day of anticipation. It is the big day our families get together and just enjoy each others company. We eat simple sandwiches, exchange small gifts and play games. We listen to the young ones sing, dance and do interesting plays. We always find time to pray and worship together which brightens everyones spirit.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Mark Levin's: Plunder and Deceipt: Big Government's Exploitation of Young People and the Future. THis is a must-read book because it informs, educates and encourages us to do all we can to help and protect future generations of Americans. The research is exceptional. I have tracked down several notes and found them all to be valuable towards my understanding of where our nation was and how we got to where we are today. THis book offers detailed plans to guide our nation to a better tomorrow. We can still turn around our great nation and leave this generation better off than the one before. This book offers hope and inspiration to get back in the good fight to keep our country- that great shining city on a hill.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Thor fom the Avengers because he is quite smart and compassionate. He is self-assured, and he would never, ever stop fighting fot a worthwhile cause. He has a character trait I possess and that is Tenacity.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
I have a small (3x3 inch) painted picture on a small easel next to my kitchen sink. I look at it everyday and have been doing so since 1979. I am surprised it is still in my possession and in good shape. The picture is a simple scene of a small boat house on a beach with a small fishing boat and some birds flying off over the sunset. This picture reminds me everyday that I am to be still at least once every day and reflect on all of my blessings.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
I am a big heavy metal fan. I am always listening and looking for new music on Octane, Lithium and Liquid Metal. My favorite song right now is pretty tame: Its called "Soldiers" by Otherwise. This song is an anthem for everyone living on the front-lines of life.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
The one area I seek personal development is listening. I think listening is a critical skill, so I intentionally make myself count to 10 before I comment on other peoples concerns. This helps me learn what is important to other people and stay focused on helping them solve a problem.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Bills increasing or decreasing revenue, which must originate in the House of Representatives. The order of business in each house provides a proper time for the introduction of bills. The larger chamber (more constituents) have exclusive power to confirm appointments made by the governor and to try articles of impeachment. Members of the smaller chamber represent more citizens and usually serve for longer terms than members of the larger chamber, generally four years.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes, I do believe a candidate should have a solid understanding of how the State Government works and they should have some experience. However, I dont think that expereince must come from serving a political office. Many skills from working are easily transferable to a successful political endeavor.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Managing our state Spending on Healthcare, infrastructure and pensions. We are currently experiencing almost 20% poverty in NWA. This must be addressed immediately
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Governors must learn to work well with other lawmakers, bureaucrats, cabinet officials, and with the citizens who elected them to office in the first place.Three of the governor's chief functions are to influence the legislative process through an executive budget proposal, a policy agenda, and vetoes. THis means the Governor must work with legislators to achieve the states goals
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. It is vital to network, collaborate and build coalitions to get bills passed and implemented. We need to work together with the goal of representing our voters.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
It has been my experience that Politicians will try to carve territory into districts for political gain, usually along partisan lines.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Yes, the Work Force Task Force due to my passion for bringing higher paying jobs to NWA.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes, as a lead manager over the creation of a jobs training center in NWA.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
President Calvin Coolidge, Pres Ronald Regaan and Senator Tom Cotton.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
yes.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Yes, I've heard many constituents share their struggles with trying to stay on top of their bills, especially when Obama was in the office. I will never forget a middle-aged woman who was working full-time and living in her pickup truck because she didnt make enough money to pay for an apartment. Most of her money was used to pay her medical insurance costs. She took showers in gas stations and ofen looked for leftovers late at night from restaurants in town. I volunteer with 7Hills Homeless center and worked to get her a small apartment thru them until she could save enough money to get an apartment. Today, she is doing well, but she is still living paycheck to paycheck.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Arkansas workers need higher paying jobs and I am running for AR State Senate to bring high-tech jobs to NWA. We need to train-up our workforce: youth, veterans, displaced and low-income workers, through college or tech careers that will support them and their families. To make this happen we need to improve education, increase collaboration between educators and employers and most of all champion sustainable, efficient government. My top three priorities are: Higher paying jobs, Improved Education and Sustainable Government. Is there anything you would like to add? I am not a politician. I am a working person just like you. My core principles are individual rights, personal responsibility and property rights. We are more alike than we are different. I plan to be a Real World Legislator #RWL. Bringing high-tech, higher paying jobs to NWA will require people to look past party and work together to, 'Make Arkansas Stronger.'[3] |
” |
| —Dawn Clemence[1] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on June 15, 2018
- ↑ Abbey Smith, “Email communication with Dawn Clemence," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
