According to a press release this morning, Victoria Leigh has announced her candidacy as a Democrat for the District 38 House seat. That seat is currently held by Donnie Copeland (R), but Copeland is running for the State Senate seat currently held by Jane English, leaving District 38 without an incumbent in 2016.
Leigh, a graduate of Mount Saint Mary in Little Rock, is a lawyer who practices primarily in the areas of family law and consumer defense. She has an extensive background in helping low-income families with real-estate and debt-collection issues and has volunteered with the Arkansas Disability Rights Center as well. Based on that resume, it would be an understatement to say that Leigh is not a DINO or Republican Lite, unlike so many other recent Democratic candidates for various races.
She’s also not afraid to make a splash in her initial press release:
The Arkansas House of Representatives needs members who respect its integral position in State Government. Our representatives should be held and should hold themselves to a higher standard. Representatives should not be mired in controversies—controversies that shift the focus from serving Arkansas to defending inexcusable actions like giving away adopted children or taking strategic and political guidance from pedophiles or pushing through legislation that promotes companies in which legislators hold stock.
District 38 covers a portion of North Little Rock, north of I-40 up to roughly the southern edge of Sherwood, with JFK Drive cutting more or less through the heart of the district. There are rumors that attorney Kent Walker–who is not the same Kent Walker who makes delicious artisanal cheeses–is considering getting in the District 38 race on the Democrat side as well. Based on recent informal discussions with people close to the state party, however, that might not be the best idea.
Leigh’s full press release follows:
For Immediate Release | September 30, 2015
Victoria Leigh
Telephone: 501.658.3108
Email: victorialeigh.38@gmail.comVictoria Leigh Announces Candidacy for Arkansas House – District 38
North Little Rock mother, small business owner to fight for children
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – Citing the need to address real issues that concern Arkansans, Victoria Leigh, a small business owner of a family and consumer defense law practice, announced her candidacy for the Arkansas House of Representatives – District 38.
“As a mother, a businesswoman, and a resident of North Little Rock, I believe we should be focusing on creating an Arkansas that our children want to live in.” Leigh continued, “As an attorney, I bring a unique understanding of the law and the impact of the bills that are created in the legislature.”
Victoria Leigh has long been an advocate, serving and working in the low-income community assisting with real estate and family issues. While in law school, she served on the Anderson City Fair Housing Coalition and the Human Rights Commission of Indiana. Leigh has volunteered hundreds of hours for the legal community doing pro-bono work defending homeowners dealing with debt collectors and fraudulent judicial and non-judicial home foreclosures.
Victoria has also volunteered with the Disability Rights Center of Arkansas, which serves the more than half a million Arkansans with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities by serving on the Protection and Advocacy Advisory Council.
Victoria’s community involvement includes more than fifteen years with the Girls Scouts where she got her first taste of politics earning her Gold Award with her year-long project to register voters in low-income areas. In addition, from 2012 to 2014, she served as Communications Chair for the Arkansas Chapter of the American Association of University Women.
“The Arkansas House of Representatives needs members who respect its integral position in state government. Our representatives should be held and should hold themselves to a higher standard.
Representatives should not be mired in controversies—controversies that shift the focus from serving Arkansas to defending inexcusable actions like giving away adopted children or taking strategic and political guidance from pedophiles or pushing through legislation that promotes companies in which legislators hold stock.” Leigh stated “I am asking the people of the 38th District to elect me to represent the best of Arkansas, the kindness, generosity, and caring for each other that makes Arkansas the great state that it is.”
Victoria, her husband Joey, and their daughter make their home in North Little Rock.
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