Hi Jack --

It’s been a frustrating, scary, and emotional past few days following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, effectively banning abortion in Arkansas, with the only exception being to save the life of the person carrying the pregnancy.

This weekend we were in Holiday Island, Jonesboro, and West Memphis for community events. At every meeting, abortion was at the top of people’s minds.

Arkansas leads the nation in teen pregnancy, and the fact is, our society is not set up for children to be parents themselves. The lack of resources for parents and children is astounding, but as AG Leslie Rutledge certified the law that made abortion illegal in AR this week, she cried tears of joy.

At the Jonesboro protest, I had the chance to tell people that I don’t plan to stop advocating for their rights and that they can count on me to be a megaphone for the issues they care most about.

I love a literal and figurative photo. I tell people all of the time I’m running to be a megaphone for the people of Arkansas. 📢

Before our weekend of traveling, I joined Democratic candidate for Governor Chris Jones in Fayetteville at a protest the day the opinion came down. We got to speak to several people who are ready to keep fighting for bodily autonomy.

To win Arkansas in November, we’ve got to prioritize young people and prove to them that we will be leaders they can trust to fight for their rights.

I also had the chance to speak with the Carroll County Democrats in Holiday Island, and attend Meet and Greets in Jonesboro and West Memphis. These community meetings allowed my team and I to build relationships with both engaged Democrats who turn out to vote and volunteer every election season AND people who’ve never volunteered or even voted!

I got to speak about why I’m running, my experience, and have meaningful conversations with voters about their communities and the issues they’re facing at a local level. And we bumped into supporters each time we grabbed a meal between stops!

Here are some photos from those meetings:

Speaking with supporters and members of the Democratic Party of Craighead County.

At the Carroll County Democrats meeting in Holiday Island.

Telling Crittenden County Dems about our plans to organize across the state.

The tiniest supporter I got to meet this weekend at a Crittenden County Meet and Greet in West Memphis. He wasn’t sure about me at first but was sharing popcorn by the end! Honestly, that’s how a lot of conversations with undecided voters go!

I will keep working for a better future. I’m energized by the people turning out to protest, and now our job is to sustain that energy through November.

This won’t be easy, but we have the chance to ensure Arkansans have a leader in Little Rock who cares about them and their families.

I hope you’re doing okay, and I want you to know that when you’re ready to get involved, we will help you find what is a good fit for you!

If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot. :)

-Kelly

P.S. If you’d like to do a little or a lot to help us continue traveling and spreading hope across the state, please pitch in $25, $50, or any amount you can. We *can* win this together.