EL DORADO — State Sen. Breanne Davis has been preliminarily recommended by Senate Republicans to serve as Arkansas’ next Senate President Pro Tempore, positioning her to assume one of the chamber’s top leadership roles when lawmakers convene in 2027.

Davis visited with South Arkansas Now on the fact that Senate Republicans selected her this week as the Senate president designee, a traditional step ahead of the formal vote that will take place at the start of the next General Assembly.

“We got the official vote in January of 2027, the first day of the general session, where we do the official vote for the Senate president pro tem for the 96th General Assembly, and so the vote this week was for the Senate president designee, and traditionally, it is the same person moving in,” Davis said. “So, I’m excited. I’m honored just to have the support of my colleagues in the Senate. I know that, you know, we all work hard together. It’s certainly not just one person leading the way. It’s all 35 of us working hard for our constituents back home.”

If confirmed in January 2027, Davis would preside over the Arkansas Senate during the 96th General Assembly, helping manage the daily operations of the chamber and assisting members with the legislative process.

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Davis said there are often misconceptions about the authority of the Senate president pro tempore, particularly on social media, noting that the role centers more on organization and process than control over legislation.

“I mean, I do think, you know, of course, you see the Facebook chatter and see a lot of information swirling around about exactly what the Senate president does, and the truth is, you know, we don’t have control over what bills make it to the floor and what bills don’t and stuff like that,” Davis said. “Of course, we still have a pretty open legislative process where members work their bills through committee, and if they get the votes in committee, they bring it to the floor, and so, really, the Senate president helps with the order and process of session, making things run smoothly, making sure, you know, resolving issues if members need help with anything.”

She added that the role has evolved over time, particularly as transparency has increased in state government.

“There’s certainly not the, maybe, control that some people had in the chamber back in the 80s and 90s before there was a thing really called transparency, and so it’s still open for all 35 members to serve their constituents, run legislation that they want to run, and still fight for their own individual agendas, and that’s what makes the Senate great and the legislative process so great,” Davis said.

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Davis also addressed the role of public scrutiny and the spread of inaccurate information in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of transparency while cautioning against misinformation.

“Transparency is great in the world of social media. Everything that we do is watched or seen, which I think is great, but when people weaponize it and put out misinformation or maybe don’t ask questions first to get good information, then that’s really where it becomes an issue, and, of course, we see a lot of that in this day and age, not just in politics, but across the board, but that’s okay,” she said.

The Senate President Pro Tempore serves as the Senate’s presiding officer in many legislative proceedings and plays a key role in coordinating the chamber’s schedule and maintaining order during sessions. Senate Republicans traditionally select a president designee ahead of the formal vote, which historically has been confirmed at the beginning of the next legislative cycle.

that Senate Republicans selected her this week as the Senate president designee, a traditional step ahead of the formal vote that will take place at the start of the next General Assembly.

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“We got the official vote in January of 2027, the first day of the general session, where we do the official vote for the Senate president pro tem for the 96th General Assembly, and so the vote this week was for the Senate president designee, and traditionally, it is the same person moving in,” Davis said. “So, I’m excited. I’m honored just to have the support of my colleagues in the Senate. I know that, you know, we all work hard together. It’s certainly not just one person leading the way. It’s all 35 of us working hard for our constituents back home.”

If confirmed in January 2027, Davis would preside over the Arkansas Senate during the 96th General Assembly, helping manage the daily operations of the chamber and assisting members with the legislative process.

Davis said there are often misconceptions about the authority of the Senate president pro tempore, particularly on social media, noting that the role centers more on organization and process than control over legislation.

“I mean, I do think, you know, of course, you see the Facebook chatter and see a lot of information swirling around about exactly what the Senate president does, and the truth is, you know, we don’t have control over what bills make it to the floor and what bills don’t and stuff like that,” Davis said. “Of course, we still have a pretty open legislative process where members work their bills through committee, and if they get the votes in committee, they bring it to the floor, and so, really, the Senate president helps with the order and process of session, making things run smoothly, making sure, you know, resolving issues if members need help with anything.”

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She added that the role has evolved over time, particularly as transparency has increased in state government.

“There’s certainly not the, maybe, control that some people had in the chamber back in the 80s and 90s before there was a thing really called transparency, and so it’s still open for all 35 members to serve their constituents, run legislation that they want to run, and still fight for their own individual agendas, and that’s what makes the Senate great and the legislative process so great,” Davis said.

Davis also addressed the role of public scrutiny and the spread of inaccurate information in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of transparency while cautioning against misinformation.

“Transparency is great in the world of social media. Everything that we do is watched or seen, which I think is great, but when people weaponize it and put out misinformation or maybe don’t ask questions first to get good information, then that’s really where it becomes an issue, and, of course, we see a lot of that in this day and age, not just in politics, but across the board, but that’s okay,” she said.

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The Senate President Pro Tempore serves as the Senate’s presiding officer in many legislative proceedings and plays a key role in coordinating the chamber’s schedule and maintaining order during sessions. Senate Republicans traditionally select a president designee ahead of the formal vote, which historically has been confirmed at the beginning of the next legislative cycle.

This opinion column originally appeared in The Washington Times on April 29, 2026, titled “Small-town refineries play big role in U.S. energy security.” You can read the original article by clicking here

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EL DORADO — El Dorado and Union County leaders are celebrating a milestone after receiving their first Site Development Grant through Governor Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, an investment aimed at preparing the area for future industry and job growth.

Officials with the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce announced the award this week, calling it an important step toward strengthening the community’s ability to attract new businesses and remain competitive in economic development efforts across the region.

The funding comes through the Arkansas Site Development Program, which is managed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The program provides matching funds to communities to improve the readiness of industrial sites, particularly greenfield properties of at least 30 acres.

Funds from the grant can be used for a variety of site preparation needs, including infrastructure improvements, land acquisition and necessary due diligence work designed to make properties more attractive to prospective industries.

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Chamber officials said the investment marks a significant opportunity for El Dorado and Union County, helping position the area for long-term economic growth and increased job creation.

Community leaders noted that preparing industrial sites in advance is a critical part of attracting new employers, as businesses often look for locations that are ready for immediate development.

Local officials say the grant represents the beginning of new opportunities for El Dorado and Union County, with additional progress expected as site preparation work moves forward.

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EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District will host a community meet and greet for new Head Football Coach Brett Shockley on Tuesday, May 5, giving students, parents, and supporters an opportunity to welcome the district’s newest athletic leader.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at First Financial Bank, located at 300 E. Peach Street in El Dorado.

District officials say the meet and greet will allow community members to meet Coach Shockley, learn more about his vision for the football program, and show support as he begins his tenure leading the El Dorado Wildcats.

Coach Shockley was recently named head football coach for the El Dorado School District, and school leaders say they are excited to introduce him to the community and build momentum for the upcoming football season.

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The event is open to the public, and school officials encourage families, students, alumni, and community members to attend and help welcome Coach Shockley to El Dorado.

EL DORADO — The community is invited to attend a special grave marking ceremony honoring Revolutionary War patriots on Saturday, May 2, at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in El Dorado, according to information shared by the El Dorado–Union County Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony is being organized by the Sons of the American Revolution Desoto Trace Chapter, in partnership with the Ecorse Fabre Chapter and First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado. The event will recognize local patriots who served the country during the struggle for independence and highlight their lasting legacy.

Organizers say the ceremony also commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, honoring the contributions of early American patriots whose service helped secure the nation’s independence.

The event will take place at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located on South Washington Avenue in El Dorado, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Activities will include a formal marker dedication and grave marking to recognize the Revolutionary War veterans laid to rest at the cemetery.

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Community members, local historians, and descendants of Revolutionary War patriots are encouraged to attend the ceremony and take part in honoring the history and heritage of the region.

Officials say the ceremony offers a meaningful opportunity for residents to reflect on the sacrifices of those who served in the Revolutionary War while celebrating the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial milestone.