Letisha Hinds

Letisha Hinds earned a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University in 2012. Her career experience includes working in retail.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Letisha, and I'm running to represent my community.

I'm a mom, a wife, and a lifelong Arkansan, and I'm raising my daughter here because I believe in Arkansas and what it can become. But belief isn't enough anymore.

I've seen the impact on my friends, neighbors, and community as the costs of gas, groceries, and now utilities climb higher and higher, while what we get in return continues to fall, ranking near the bottom in healthcare, poverty, and infrastructure. The list goes on and on.

Here in District 16, we've felt rampant growth firsthand, with worsening traffic, poor drainage, and a constant fear of flooding every time the rain picks up. Our local government is failing us. Our state government is failing us.

This is not the Arkansas I want to hand to my daughter, my nieces and nephews, and all their friends. They deserve better. I'm done watching. I'm running to deliver a future for my community, my neighbors, and their families.

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?

Supporting Smart Growth

In my community, we've felt rampant growth firsthand, and not in the good ways. Worsening traffic. Poor drainage. A constant, nagging fear of flooding every single time the rain picks up. And then the costs pile on: replacing a fence, repairing a home, trying to hold back stormwater damage. This is what happens when growth outpaces investment, and when the people in charge of fixing it don't. My community needs leadership that treats infrastructure like the urgent problem it is, not an afterthought.Improving Education

We must improve the education system in Arkansas. First, we must invest in public education by investing in our teachers, and ensuring they can afford to live in and enjoy the communities they support. Second, we need to stop diverting tax dollars to private schools with little oversight, and hold every school to the same standard so all students have equitable access. Third, we need to ensure all students in Arkansas have access to a quality education, no matter their zip code. Investing in teachers, investing in public education, and holding taxpayer-funded private schools to the same standard: that's the baseline for improving education in Arkansas.Cost of Living

My friends, neighbors, and community are feeling it everywhere: gas, groceries, and now utilities keep climbing higher and higher. And what do we get in return? Arkansas ranks near the bottom in the nation for healthcare, poverty, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Republican leadership keeps doubling down on the policies driving these costs, from tariffs raising prices on everyday goods to a costly war in Iran pushing up inflation and gas prices. None of our representatives have raised a real objection. We're paying more for less, year after year, while the people we've sent to represent us haven't turned the tide. Our families deserve a state that works as hard for them as they work for their families.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about public education because I believe it's a great equalizer and a path to opportunity. Access to a quality education can inspire the next generation of scientists, doctors, community leaders, and dreamers. Excellent public schools build strong communities, strong communities build strong economies, and strong economies uplift families. Every child in Arkansas deserves access to a quality education, one that gives them hope, inspires them to dream big, and creates real opportunities for their future.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity

Accountability

Availability

Empathy

Support for Democracy

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

I believe someone elected to any public office has a responsibility to represent their constituents and to be held accountable to that representation. They should not put personal or political interests above who they were elected to represent.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'm not running for office to leave a legacy. I'm running to improve the lives of my neighbors. I don't want power or credit. I want the drainage issues fixed so we don't have to deal with stormwater flooding. I want education uplifted so we give our students a better chance at a brighter future. I want Arkansas to be seen as more than a "red state." I'm running for Arkansas's legacy, and for moving Arkansas forward.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

We have amazing corporations and businesses that have already grown Arkansas significantly. As we continue to see investment in our state, we'll see even more growth. How we manage that growth will be the challenge. From infrastructure to education, everything about Arkansas will matter to current and future residents. How we approach that growth, create policies to manage it, and ensure we remain welcoming will be the biggest test we face.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I believe good policymaking is achieved through partnership. Partners don't compromise the best interests of their constituents. When we stay focused on the people who put us in this position, we should be able to come together on policies that truly improve their lives.