03/27/17  Arkansas Dems Pick Gray To Lead Party

Arkansas Democrats on Saturday selected State Representative Michael John Gray as chairman of the party. Gray defeated Denise Garner, a non-profit executive from Fayetteville, at a  meeting of the party's State Committee in North Little Rock.

According to a Arkansas Democrat-Gazette report, the in Augusta farmer had pressed for the party to develop a sharper focus on economic issues and to attract grass-roots support in poor and rural areas. The role of party chairman is an unpaid position. Gray says he'll step down as the leader of the House Democratic caucus and will continue to serve in the legislature.