Mischa Martin Announces Campaign for State Senate, District 13

Longtime advocate for children is ready to fight for Arkansans in Little Rock. 

Sherwood, AR — Mischa Martin, a lifelong Arkansan, experienced public servant, and conservative Republican, announced today that she is running for Arkansas State Senate, District 13. The district includes portions of Sherwood, Maumelle, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, and northern Pulaski County. The seat is currently held by Senator Jane English, who is term-limited and unable to seek reelection.

Martin served more than 15 years at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, including as Director of the Division of Children and Family Services and as Deputy Secretary for Youth and Families, appointed to the latter position by Governor Sarah Sanders. In these roles, she was responsible for the safety of children and youths across the state, overseeing programs focused on abuse and neglect prevention, foster care, and adoption. For more than a decade, she has worked closely with the Arkansas State Legislature to create nationally recognized laws that promote the best interest of children, increase transparency, reduce bureaucratic red tape, strengthen parental rights, and support foster parents.

During her tenure, Martin led transformative reforms and prioritized expanding faith-based partnerships, creating a pro-life culture, strengthening families, promoting relative placements, helping more children and youths find permanency through adoption, and streamlining services and supports.

“I’ve spent my career protecting children, serving families, and fixing broken systems,” said Martin. “Now, I’m ready to take that same servant leadership to the Senate to fight for the families, communities, and conservative values that make Arkansas strong.”



Martin has been recognized both statewide and nationally for her leadership, earning the 2023 Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award, the Champion for Children Award from The CALL, and the Excellence for Children Leadership Award from Casey Family Programs. She continues her advocacy by providing technical assistance to other state leaders across the country on child welfare, community prevention, and public policy strategy.

If elected, Martin says she will focus on lowering taxes, reducing government overreach, supporting school choice, strengthening public safety, and advancing policies that empower families and promote freedom.

“Arkansas has made great progress through bold, conservative leadership,” Martin said. “As a Senator, I’ll work to keep that momentum going—by growing our economy, putting families first, and making government work for the people, not the other way around.”

Martin is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a Juris Doctor, and a master’s degree in public administration. She and her husband, Blake, have been married for more than 20 years and live in Sherwood with their 13-year-old twin boys and a super friendly mini Aussiedoodle. She is a passionate mountain biker who also loves to hike to Arkansas’ waterfalls.

To learn more, visit www.mischaforarkansas.com.