Allison Sweatman

Allison Sweatman earned a bachelor's degree from Ouachita Baptist University in 2012 and a graduate degree from Tulane University in 2020. Her career experience includes working as a social worker. Sweatman worked as a legislative editor for the 2021 General Session of the Arkansas State Legislature. She has served as a member of the National Association of Social Workers and has worked with Disability Rights Arkansas.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a licensed social worker, law student, wife to Andrew, and mom to my children, Rosie and Beau. I was born and raised in central Arkansas, and we’re proud residents of North Little Rock.

My daughter, Rosie, was born with a severe heart defect and a diagnosis of Down syndrome. I quickly learned that on top of caring for and bonding with our baby, we would have to fight the insurance and healthcare systems for her to have lifesaving medical necessities. We’ve been able to overcome these challenges, but Arkansans deserve to live in a state that puts patients and caregivers first.

We adopted our son, Beau, who also has Down syndrome, when he was three years old. Before he began his schooling, I spent months learning about the special education system. It wasn’t long before I was known as the mom who could help other parents navigate the special education system in my community.

I became a fierce advocate for kids with disabilities and their parents. Just like I fought for my kids to have what they need, I want to fight to make sure no parent in Arkansas has to go through the challenges Andrew and I have faced.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am running to support parents, students, teachers, and schools. Our kids deserve a public school system that meets their educational needs and fosters a safe, inclusive community for each and every child.I am running because I know we are falling short on delivering mental health services. We must remove the barriers of stigma, lack of coverage, and narrow coverage that takes away your choice of provider.I am running because waiting to fix our broken foster care system is not an option. We need to address the systems and issues that bring kids into foster care in the first place, such as poverty, generational trauma, untreated mental health needs, and so many more.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Public Education

As a special education advocate and a parent to kids with disabilities, I know that some kids have different learning needs than others. I want our schools to be equipped with the resources to meet the needs of every child they serve.

We need to pay our teachers like the professionals they are. Faculty and staff are exhausted, overworked, and underpaid. Teachers are leaving schools in favor of jobs that offer them what they’re worth, and our districts are struggling to fill the positions.

2. Mental Health

As a licensed social worker, I’ve seen the effects of stress and trauma on communities and individuals. Over the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for mental health services has increased drastically. Meeting this need is vital. I believe mental health care should be accessible to all Arkansans. To do this we must remove the barriers of stigma, lack of coverage, and narrow coverage that takes away your choice of provider.

3. Foster Care and Adoption

When we adopted our son, I became aware of many issues within the foster care/adoption system. Often these issues are distilled down to one big issue: the need for more foster homes and adoptive parents. It is true that we need more foster homes and forever families for our children in the foster care system. We need to address the systems and issues that bring kids into foster care in the first place, such as poverty, generational trauma, untreated mental health needs, and more.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my mother. She is the hardest working person I have ever known. She is the picture of resilience and taking care of the people she leads as a business owner and employer.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As a clinical social worker, I listen to people and help them solve the problems in their lives and the lives of their family members. As a Senator, I will have the opportunity to listen to my constituents and help solve the problems they face in the systems created by their government. In short, I am a listener and a problem solver, which will make me a successful lawmaker.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the person representing our district in the State Senate has a primary responsibility to listen to the people they represent. They should be engaged in the work of the people they serve, hearing the day-to-day issues faced so that they can collaborate with people to improve their lives.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered as a person who engages with everyone I encounter in a way that conveys dignity, respect, and a collaborative spirit. I want to be a person who leads alongside those I’m serving, meaning I believe my constituents deserve self-determination in their futures. I want to leave a legacy of giving people hope for a bright future that they themselves can create, and I am simply a part of that process.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I vividly remember September 11, 2001. I was in my English class, and my classmates and I had a realization that this was a major historical event when we saw our teacher crying at her desk.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a carhop at the local Sonic Drive-In. I began working there at the age of 15 and worked throughout high school. I also helped at my family’s restaurant from a young age and worked there throughout college over the summers. I still pick up a shift every now and then!

What is your favorite book? Why?

I read almost exclusively nonfiction. The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel VanDerKolk changed everything I know about trauma in the individual and the collective. The concepts in that book helped me build empathy and tools that serve me in my professional and personal life every day.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Elle Woods

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“Change” by Taylor Swift

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My daughter, Rosie, was born with a severe heart defect that required multiple surgeries in her first year of life. We spent many months in Children’s Hospital, and when we brought her home, we had to learn to meet her medical needs while learning to be first-time parents. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I wouldn’t change anything about my daughter, but that was the biggest struggle our family has ever experienced.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I'll let you know…