Vote March 3, 2026
Nonpartisan Election
Benton County, Arkansas
A Personal Calling to Serve Families and Children
My work today is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: children need both compassion and accountability to thrive. That belief has guided my life for more than 30 years—long before I ever practiced law.
In 1992, I began volunteering as a youth basketball coach at Jeffery’s Boys Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I saw firsthand how structure, consistency, and high expectations could help kids feel safe and supported. That early experience set the course for my lifelong commitment to serving at-risk youth—both in the community and in the courtroom.
Since then, I’ve spent over three decades working to build strong futures for young people across Northwest Arkansas:
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13 seasons of youth basketball coaching—teaching kids discipline, sportsmanship, and self-respect
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Mock trial mentorship—shaping future leaders through critical thinking and accountability
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Odyssey of the Mind and Law Day programs—engaging students in teamwork, civic education, and the rule of law
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Chair and current board member of the Teen Action and Support Center—an organization that empowers youth through therapy and guidance
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Board of Trustees member at Northwest Arkansas Community College—helping expand access to education and opportunity for all
In 2007, I entered the legal profession with one mission: to be a steady, principled advocate for those who need it most—especially children and families in crisis.
Over the years, I’ve earned certifications and taken on roles that reflect both the depth and seriousness of that mission:
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Certified Attorney Ad Litem in domestic relations and probate (2010)
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Appointed FINS Attorney (Families in Need of Services) (2012)
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Certified Dependency-Neglect Ad Litem (2023), representing children in cases involving abuse, neglect, and state intervention
In every one of these roles, I’ve brought the same values to the table: clear expectations, consistent follow-through, and a deep respect for the law. I don’t shy away from hard decisions, and I don’t make them lightly. I believe in second chances—but only when they’re earned. I believe in protecting children—and I know that sometimes, the most compassionate thing we can do is hold adults fully accountable.
I’m running for Family Court Judge because I’ve spent my entire life preparing to serve in this role—not just as a lawyer, but as someone who knows how to lead with both strength and heart. Our families deserve nothing less.
Thank you for visiting my website. Please read the rest of my family's story, including my husband Stuart, to learn about my reasons for running.
Age 9 – My First Big League Game
I was nine years old, visiting my grandparents in Fort Worth, Texas. We were buzzing with excitement because that night, we were going to watch the Kansas City Royals play the Texas Rangers.
1981
Age 18 – Senior Year on the Court
This is my senior year basketball photo, taken during my final season playing for Southside High School in Fort Smith. Basketball was more than just a sport for me—it was my anchor. The court was where I found a sense of belonging
1991
Age 17 – A Surprise from the Spotlight
At 17, I was a contestant in the Miss Southern Belle pageant at Southside High School in Fort Smith. It was definitely out of my comfort zone—more hairspray than I was used to and a whole lot of stage lights—but I gave it my all.
1990
During those busy years of motherhood, I played in an adult league soccer team—as the goalkeeper. By then, all three of my children had been born, and they came with me to the games. Honestly, being a goalkeeper wasn’t so different from parenting.
2006
I still remember this moment like it was yesterday—Christmas 2009, standing with my youngest, Matthew, wrapped in a hug and lit up with that sweet smile of his.
There’s something about this photo that takes me right back— the feeling of being completely content in that little sliver of time.
2009
This photo was taken at a graduation ceremony for Northwest Arkansas Community College, where I had the privilege of serving as a Member of the Board of Trustees.
It was an honor to stand alongside so many hardworking students and their families—each cap and gown representing late nights, early mornings, and a better future.
2011
This photo brings me right back to a summer afternoon full of giggles, mismatched socks, and the kind of beautiful chaos only little boys can create.
These boys—Gray, Ryan, and Matthew—made me a mother, a referee, a storyteller, and most of all, a witness to the everyday magic of growing up together.
Their legs tangled in mine, fingers sticky from snacks, hearts so full of love. I remember thinking: this is the good stuff.
This photo of me and Ryan was taken right outside my law office—just the two of us, bundled up on a chilly evening after dinner. Ryan had stopped by to check in, make me laugh, and remind me (as only he can) not to take everything so seriously.
There’s something special about standing next to your grown child in front of the place you’ve poured your heart into for years.
Ryan has always had the biggest heart and the best timing. And this night was no exception.
This is me with my son Gray. During his time at ATU, Gray joined the band as a bass player. Music was an amazing connection with him to that wonderful campus. With autism, that kind of deep connection does not come easy. I have been so incredibly proud of him and the immense work he invested in making that happen for himself.
A Birthday, a Ballgame, and the Best Company
Here I am with my husband Stuart, watching the Colorado Rockies take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in Denver on July 3, 2022—my birthday! There’s something about a baseball game that always feels like home to me. The crowd, the national anthem, the crack of the bat—it all brings back so many memories.
From sitting in the stands with my grandparents as a little girl, to catching games with my own kids and now sharing these moments with Stuart, baseball has been the quiet thread running through every season of my life.
It’s more than just a game—it’s tradition, connection, and joy. And yes, if you’re noticing a theme, you’re absolutely right: I really do love America’s pastime. ⚾️
Another Day at the Ballpark—And I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
Here we are again—me and Stuart—at yet another baseball game on May 13, 2023, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks. It was one of those days that started with sunshine and ended with a weather delay, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Watching the Hogs play always feels like coming home. And let me just say—Coach Dave Van Horn is one of the best in the business. The way he leads that team with grit, consistency, and heart is something I admire deeply. You can tell his players respect him, and you can feel the pride in the stands every time they take the field.
Full Circle in Fort Smith
Here we are—me, Stuart, and our youngest son Matthew—celebrating his graduation from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith in May 2024. What a moment. What a circle of life.
Fort Smith holds so many memories for me. It’s where I finished junior high, where I graduated high school, and where I spent so many formative years figuring out who I wanted to be. To stand here decades later, watching my son walk across a stage in the same city, felt both surreal and deeply meaningful.
Matthew’s journey, like so many, wasn’t without its challenges—but he’s grown into a thoughtful, driven, and resilient young man. Watching him in that cap and gown, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude—for where we’ve been, for where he’s going, and for the grace that carried us through it all.
