Diana Gonzales Worthen Makes History in Arkansas Legislature
Springdale, AR – Diana Gonzales Worthen, a prominent educator and Springdale native, has secured her place in history by becoming the first Latina elected to the Arkansas Legislature. In a significant victory, she successfully flipped a Democratic seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives during the recent election. Worthen rematched and defeated one-term incumbent DeAnna Hodges in House District 9, Arkansas’s first majority-Latino district.
This marks her fourth attempt at the House, having previously run in 2006. In her recent campaign, Worthen emphasized the importance of voter education, recognizing the challenges faced by many first-time voters in her district. Her approach involved mobilizing community support and focusing on key issues, including education—a priority for many families in District 9, which contains 14 public schools.
"I’ve been doing a lot of work in the community as an educator for over 35 years, and that experience resonated with voters," she stated during an interview with the Arkansas Times. "Our campaign was built on strong schools, strong families, and a strong Springdale."
Her groundbreaking election has inspired many in the Latino community, as she aims to motivate others to consider public service. "I may be the first, but I won’t be the last," Worthen said, expressing her commitment to advocate for her constituents, including key issues like education, healthcare access, and immigrant rights.
Despite facing a Republican supermajority in both legislative chambers, Worthen is optimistic about collaborating on common-ground issues, particularly those affecting education and workforce development. As she embarks on her new journey, she dedicates her success to her family, honoring her immigrant roots and their unwavering support in her pursuit of the American dream.
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Photo credit arktimes.com
