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Essays

Editorial

Deeper reflections on democracy, public trust, Arkansas communities, and the work of building a government that serves people. Bylined newspaper work and commentary with links to full pieces appears below.

Published commentary

In Arkansas’s newspapers

Bylined pieces that ran in state and regional papers. We list each edition that carried the same column when it was syndicated, so you can use either link.

Showing op-eds with publication dates on or after November 1, 2025.

  2. March 30, 2026 · Op-ed

    Arkansas needs steady leadership—not more election drama

    The Democrat-Gazette (statewide and Northwest Arkansas editions)

    Argues the Secretary of State’s office should be a service role built on trust—supporting county election officials, protecting voter and petition access, and upholding the legal framework for elections, not political theater in the public SOS contest.

    Read the full piece

Earlier bylines, interviews & press

Opinion columns, interviews, and press coverage from state and regional outlets, published before the November 2025 window above.

  • October 31, 2025 · Press

    Kelly Grappe becomes first Democrat to announce 2026 run for secretary of state

    Arkansas Times (Arkansas Blog)

    News coverage of Kelly Grappe (D–Rose Bud) entering the 2026 Secretary of State race—including background in direct democracy and the developing field of announced candidates.

    Read on arktimes.com

  • October 31, 2025 · Press

    Democrat Kelly Grappe announces for secretary of state

    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Statewide news coverage of the campaign launch—first Democrat in the 2026 Secretary of State field at the time of filing, with context from an interview in the same news cycle (Neal Earley, ADG).

    Read the full piece

  • May 8, 2025 · Op-ed

    Mothers of storm

    Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Reflection tied to place and public memory (Mount Holly Cemetery, roses, history)—a quieter civic essay from the same opinion column run.

    Read on nwaonline.com

  • December 19, 2024 · Op-ed

    Moving forward

    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    On rebuilding trust and shared work after a divisive election season.

    Read on arkansasonline.com

  • August 29, 2024 · Op-ed

    Shape our future

    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    On women’s voices, voting, and the ballot initiative process in Arkansas.

    Read on arkansasonline.com