Ronetta Francis
Ronetta Francis (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arkansas State Senate to represent District 1. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Francis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Francis was born on August 4, 1965, in San Francisco, California. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in 1987. She went on to obtain her master's degree from Fisk University in 1989. She also received her J.D. from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law in 1994. Francis' professional experience includes working as a small business owner. She has also worked as a motivational teacher, coach, and author.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 1
Incumbent Bart Hester defeated Ronetta Francis in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bart Hester (R) | 64.9 | 36,778 |
 | Ronetta Francis (D)  | 35.1 | 19,855 | |
| Total votes: 56,633 | |||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Ronetta Francis advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 1.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Bart Hester advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 1.
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ronetta Francis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Francis' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- As small business owners, my husband and I both have seen and felt the economic devastation resulting from the COVID -19 pandemic. It is critical that we be intentional about safely re-engaging our economy without putting the lives of our workers at risk. We must provide avenues that encourage business growth and development, so that workers may receive the robust economic opportunities, living wages, and the dignity of a safe place to live that they deserve.
- I believe all Arkansans deserve access to quality healthcare and affordable prescription prices. Too many Arkansans, adults and children alike, are going without necessary health and dental care because of the costs. No Arkansan should be faced with such a choice between their health and the health of their family and other essential needs.
- As the mother of a second grade public school teacher, I know how important a deeper investment in our education system is for the future of our state. Higher pay for teachers and support staff, more professional development opportunities and access to quality early childhood education programs are three achievable outcomes that elevate the educational experiences of our future leaders across the state.
First, I feel strongly about improving our state's public education system, and ensuring all Arkansas families have access to quality early childhood education programs. We must also take a comprehensive look at improving the overall health of our fellow Arkansans, which will include greater access to excellent healthcare services and affordable prescription drugs.
I am also passionate about supporting the growth of small businesses and equipping employers to pay their workers living wages. Workers deserve to have a safe place to live; therefore, passing a Tenant's Bill of Rights that outlines minimum standards of habitability, would be a legislative priority for me.
I also look up to those who work behind the scenes, whose names will never be known, but whose sacrifices are also worthy of note. Those who inspire, encourage and uplift others; those who instill values of kindness, respect and civility into fabric of each generation.
One of the most significant historical events that I recall would be actually witnessing the Space Shuttle Challenger explode shortly after takeoff in January 1986. I was a 20-year old college student - standing in the middle of the Ferguson Student Union at the University of Alabama. Surrounded by fellow students, who had become accustomed to counting down routine, safe space shuttle launches, we stood - motionless - trying to absorb and make sense of what we had just seen. I remember thinking: where is the pod that holds the astronauts? I stood there and watched the clear, blue sky for a drifting parachute, safely carrying its passengers away from the exploding rocket - but it never happened.
There is a need for a balance of having experienced legislators combined with an infusion of new ideas, thoughts and strategies. Those with experience can provide the tools and techniques for newer innovations to be heard and implemented without the delay of an unreasonably long learning curve.
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.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 11, 2020
