New lawmakers receive committee appointments

Barnett, McGruder take office in Little Rock as session gets underway

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

The 95th General Assembly of the Arkansas State Legislature is underway in Little Rock.

Lawmakers convened last week on Monday, with a slate of new faces among the 100 State Representatives and 35 State Senators sworn in for the beginning of the new legislative term. Among those first-time legislators are two representing Crittenden County, State Rep. Jessie McGruder (D-Marion), and Rep. Lincoln Barnett (DHughes). Both are first-term members of the Arkansas House, having won their elections in November.

McGruder represents District 35, which includes portions of Crittenden and Cross County.

For the 95th General Assembly he serves on the House Education Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.

In addition to his legislative work, Rep. McGruder coaches football, basketball, and track teams at Wonder Jr High School in West Memphis.

He is a lifelong Arkansan and a graduate of Arkansas State University. He is currently earning his Masters in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Rep. McGruder resides in Marion with his devoted wife of over 25 years. Together they have 6 children in addition to his extensive extended family.

Barnett is representing District 63, which encompasses portions of Crittenden and St.

Francis counties.

For the 95th General Assembly, Rep. Barnett serves on the House Education Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.

Barnett served as the mayor of Hughes until vacating the post following his election to the State House. He also served as a School Board Member for the Hughes School District until it was consolidated with the West Memphis School District in 2015..

Rep. Barnett is a graduate of Morehouse College. He also holds a Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary.

Rep. Barnett resides in Hughes, Arkansas and is married to Dr. Freda Barnett.

McGRUDER

BARNETT