This election season, Trevor McGarrah, a computer science teacher at Searcy High School, has gained attention as he takes a bold step by running for Arkansas State Representative under the Democratic party.
Despite running from the Democratic side in a traditionally Republican state, McGarrah believes that his views will raise the quality of life for all Arkansans, regardless of party identification. “Good policy is good policy; it shouldn’t matter which political party comes up with the idea. We have much more in common than what separates us,” said McGarrah. Focusing on education, healthcare, economic growth, and government accountability, McGarrah’s campaign is driven by a vision for progress in issues both surrounding the constituents and the government. As he explains, “People want better support for public schools, access to local healthcare, and good-paying jobs. But more than anything, people want a representative who will listen. While issues matter, most people I speak with just want a responsive representative, not a rubber stamp. That’s exactly who I strive to be if elected.”
In order to gain more support, McGarrah has taken a new approach to campaigning: going door to door informing voters of his views, hoping they’ll see past the “democrat” label. The main challenge throughout McGarrah’s journey has been educating and persuading voters to look for more than just political affiliation. “Many people assume they know everything about my views when they hear “Democrat,” and this association can shut down the conversation before it even starts. But I’ve overcome this by showing up, knocking on doors, and having real conversations. I want people to see that I’m focused on them and their needs, not on pushing any specific agenda,” he shared.
McGarrah has taken the chance to mention the underrepresented rather than the commonly discussed. “Marginalized groups often face unique barriers, and I’m committed to addressing issues like discrimination and finding ways to help everyone access the resources they need to achieve their version of the American dream,” he said. Many believe that recently the legislative focus in Arkansas has seemed to prioritize the wealthy rather than the minorities. McGarrah hopes to change this if elected. He has a passion for giving a voice to the people who feel neglected by current leadership. By planning to host regular town halls, give updates on legislation during session, and maintain open lines of communication, McGarrah hopes everyone has a chance to share their thoughts and concerns. “I want people to feel represented and valued, not just during election season but all year round,” he explained.
As election day approached, McGarrah continued to rally voters in support of his cause. If elected, McGarrah had set plans that he was ready to set in motion for his term. Having a vision for a district where people feel heard, supported, and empowered is important to the teacher. “I see a future where everyone is proud to call this district home, knowing they have a representative who puts their needs first. I want to see a district with a strong public education system, accessible healthcare, job opportunities for everyone, and a government that truly serves the people,” said McGarrah. Specific policies he sees need to be placed focus around public education, mainly focused around making pre-K education free and accessible. “When pre-K education is free and universally available, it brings tremendous benefits—closing the learning gap, increasing graduation rates and lifetime earning potential, boosting economic participation, and lowering crime rates,” he said. Arkansas ranks low in areas like earning potential, healthcare, food security, and education. McGarrah understands the need for policies that will address these issues. “Improving access to affordable food, healthcare, and housing are also high priorities, along with government transparency and accountability,” he said.
With his first hand experience of seeing the effect of government on local families and his understanding of the needs of constituents, McGarrah brings a valid and unique perspective to the Arkansas political arena. His main goal has remained clear: By listening to people from all perspectives and putting aside political labels, we can create solutions that benefit everyone. Although McGarrah didn’t win, he is prepared to keep fighting for the needs of Arkansans and to benefit the state in more ways than one in the future.
