Ed Guzman for Fort Smith

Regnat Populus. The People Rule.

It is the definitive motto of the Great State of Arkansas, etched onto our state seal. It is a promise that power belongs to the citizens, not the politicians.

Yesterday, a federal judge robustly upheld that promise by striking down a web of hyper-restrictive state laws designed to cripple our historic, citizen-led ballot initiative process. The court recognized these unconstitutional laws for exactly what they were: an attempt by the political establishment to muzzle the voices of everyday Arkansans who want to propose laws and change our state for the better.

But as we celebrate this massive victory for direct democracy, we must look at how we got here. These unconstitutional barriers didn't create themselves—they were passed by legislators who wanted to put a lock on the Capitol doors.

My opponent, Justin Boyd, didn’t just stand by, and he certainly didn’t fight against it: he actively voted IN FAVOR of the very pieces of legislation that the federal court just struck down as unconstitutional violations of your rights. When given the choice to protect the power of the people or to insulate the political class from the voters, he chose the politicians every single time.

True leadership means trusting the people you represent, not trying to change the rules of the game when you don't like how they vote.

I will always stand up for the constitutional right of Arkansans to have their voices heard. Let’s return to a state government that remembers the words we were founded on. Let’s make sure the people rule once again.

In this Substack, Dustin Lowrey shares his thoughts about the ongoing news out of Baptist Health and the future implications of not shoring up our healthcare system in Fort Smith.

I agree with his statement that “healthcare is not simply another industry. Access to quality healthcare is one of the most important things for a community.”

Thank you to Director Christina Catsavis for being a voice of advocacy around this issue. Thank you to State Representative Jay Richardson for showing up and starting the process of working the problem. And thank you to the physicians, nurses, and support staff who continue to serve during this time of uncertainty.

I believe we can make positive change happen for our city and for Arkansans across the state. The need exists. The will of the people is clear. Now we need our elected officials to fight like hell for us! 

Arkansas' First Hospital Has Cut 150 Jobs Since March Dustin makes commentary on the winding back of services at Baptist-Health in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Take a look at this screenshot…

As critical news breaks about Baptist Health reducing services and selling off its primary care clinics right here in Fort Smith, my opponent’s response was to hit "share" on someone else's post, add a couple of pointing-down emojis, and call it a day.

No commentary. No plan. No actual presence.

While the incumbent senator is busy treating community-altering healthcare shifts like passive social media content, I’ve been on the ground doing the actual work. Over the last several weeks, I have hosted roundtables with Baptist physicians and members of our city Board of Directors to understand the true impact of these changes. I have consistently shown up and spoken at city board meetings to voice our community's concerns and keep the pressure on.

Right now, I lack the official title and the institutional influence that the incumbent senator holds. But I am showing up, I am listening, and I am fighting with everything I have.

It makes you wonder: If a candidate can organize roundtables with doctors and advocate directly to local leadership without holding office, how much more could an actual State Senator get done if they simply bothered to show up?

This November, Fort Smith has a choice! Fort Smith doesn't need an observer in Little Rock who just retweets the work of neighboring representatives. We need a partner who will pull up a chair, sit with our healthcare professionals, and protect access to care in the River Valley.

My opponent, Justin Boyd, is supposed to represent Fort Smith in Little Rock. INSTEAD, he represents Little Rock in Fort Smith!

This November, Fort Smith has a choice! Aren’t you ready for a change?

Grant County just drew a line in the sand against data centers, and honestly, I don't blame them one bit.

Lately, I’ve been talking with folks all over the River Valley, and the sentiment is clear: there is a deep, valid frustration with how fast AI and massive data hubs are being pushed into our backyards. Look, I understand the importance of technology, and I recognize its potential to give us an advantage in how we approach and solve big problems. AI isn't going away. But I also understand that we must thoughtfully balance technological advancement with the protection of our precious local resources—not just blindly allow big tech to come in, profit from our resources and workforce, and leave us high and dry.

These massive data centers suck up millions of gallons of our water, strain our electric grid, drive up utility costs for everyday families, and leave behind almost zero permanent jobs for local workers. Look at West Memphis right now. Tech giants like Google are building massive, resource-draining data campuses. Yet, when the state legislature set aside $300 million of our hard-earned tax surplus in April for a new "superproject" there, lawmakers explicitly restricted the funds to advanced manufacturing, NOT data centers. Why? Because even the establishment in Little Rock has had to admit that data centers do not build a permanent local workforce.

Yet, where has our current State Senator been?
Justin Boyd has consistently aligned with special interests over local communities. He voted to give tech giants special fast-tracked permits and corporate tax exemptions, and he previously backed the Arkansas Data Centers Act which stripped away local control and zoning rights. While tech lobbyists smile, everyday Arkansans are left wondering if their lights will stay on or if their water bills will spike.

That is not leadership. That is rubber-stamping a raw deal for the Natural State while leaving local families to pick up the utility tab.

I am calling for a 12-month statewide moratorium on all new data center developments. We need a timeout. We need to stop, look at the data, and thoughtfully consider the true impact these hubs have on our environment, our infrastructure, and our cities.

I will also work hand-in-hand with our local elected officials right here in Fort Smith to ensure our city has the teeth, the legal backing, and the authority to enforce strict local boundaries. Little Rock shouldn't be dictating what happens to Fort Smith’s resources.

Let's protect our grid, protect our water, and put the people of the River Valley first.

‘We don’t want to see it, hear it or smell it’: Grant County sets hard boundaries for incoming data center - Arkansas Times Grant County is making its own rules in dealing with potential data center companies.

Last night, I spent my evening at the Fort Smith City Board of Directors study session. Because of the informational nature of the meeting, this was not an opportunity for me to share remarks—but being a true partner to our community means showing up to listen, not just when there's a microphone in front of you.

The entire Fort Smith legislative delegation was invited to pull up a chair and engage with our local leaders about how we can begin to address the healthcare crisis in Fort Smith. Out of everyone, only State Representative Jay Richardson actually showed up.

It begs the question: What is my opponent, Justin Boyd, actually doing?

While the River Valley is facing real-time challenges—from healthcare access to economic squeezes—our current state senator seems more interested in checking the political pulse in Little Rock than feeling the actual heartbeat of Fort Smith. He has a decade of establishment backers and deep-pocketed lobbyists funding his photo-ops, but when it comes to the unglamorous, vital work of local study sessions: He’s a no call, no show.

Leadership isn't about monitoring the situation from a distance or asking for permission from the state capitol. It’s about being in the room.

I’m running for State Senate because the people of Fort Smith shouldn't have to fight a stacked system alone. I don’t have corporate PACs—I have you. And whether it’s a packed town hall or a quiet study session, I will always show up, listen, and fight like hell for the River Valley.

Let’s bring Fort Smith’s voice back to its citizens.

Fort Smith board to discuss hospital closure, layoff notification proposal Fort Smith Director Christina Catsavis introduced a draft letter to lawmakers following layoffs and department closures at Baptist Health Fort Smith.

A casual, low-pressure evening with Hallie Shoffner (Candidate for US Senate) and Ed Guzman (Candidate for State Senate). Designed for Young Dems and Gen Z voters to talk directly with the candidates.