Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner addressed a crowd of roughly 250 voters in Batesville on Tuesday night, covering her campaign’s focus on Arkansas communities and tackling food insecurity.
“I will always put Arkansas first,” Shoffner told attendees at the Independence County event.
Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer from Newport and small-business owner, emphasized her commitment to rural economic development and community investment. She also criticized sitting Senator Tom Cotton, saying his priorities align more with his political party and personal ambitions than the needs of Arkansans. Cotton, a Republican who has served in the Senate since 2015, is seeking a third term in the November 3 general election. Libertarian candidate Jeff Wadlin is also on the ballot.
Shoffner, who won the Democratic primary in March with approximately 78% of the vote, spoke on her years of service on the board of the Arkansas Foodbank as part of her fight against hunger. Before the Batesville event, she toured the Batesville Help and Hope facility, a nonprofit offering food and clothing to eligible Independence County residents since 1987. The organization, located at 2622 E. Main St., serves about 1,000 families and 3,500 individuals each month, according to the campaign. It is a partner within the Arkansas Foodbank Network and is sustained by local contributions and the efforts of volunteers.
The campaign described the Batesville event as an opportunity for Shoffner to meet voters face-to-face, discuss statewide and regional issues, and highlight her views on policies focused on Arkansans’ economic and quality-of-life concerns.
Voters in Arkansas will choose their next U.S. senator in the general election scheduled for November 3.