Harris Announces Candidacy For House

By Kate Ward

Posted: November 4, 2009 at 4:40 a.m.

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WEST FORK — Health care and education are among the top priorities for Arkansas House of Representatives candidate Justin Harris.

The 34-year-old West Fork alderman announced his run for the District 87 seat Tuesday during a campaign kickoff at Growing God’s Kingdom - a West Fork preschool owned by he and his wife, Marsha.

“I strongly believe that small beginnings blossom into big, bright futures,” he said. “Just look behind us. Inside you will see a business that started in a garage with 16 children and two employees, that now has 160 children and 33 employees. You will also find little children that started out small, but pave the way for our future.”

Harris is running to replace Rep. Mark Martin, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

As representative for District 87, Harris hopes to make a di◊erence within his community by addressing the national “health care situation” on a state level. District 87 includes northern Crawford and southern Washington Counties.

“In this battle, we must hold true to conservative principles while demanding change from insurance companies,” he said. “Right now, the cost of health care that is being proposed is going to cost trillions, which truthfully we will not pay for, but our children will and our children’s children will. I will listen to the people of District 87.”

Harris went on to addressArkansas’ education system, adding the state must stay strong and proactive by p rov i d - ing any and all supportpossible. If elected, he hopes to become actively involved in furthering the education of Arkansas’ youngest, starting at birth through kindergarten.

“So often this group gets left out of the education system, but at the ages of 3-5, we have set up their academic success,” he said. “In keeping up with education, there must be a fine oversight of our lottery system to make sure the money is distributed where it is intended to go.”

In addition to serving on the West Fork City Council, Harris has served on the city’s budget/personnel committee, planning commission and special advocacy board for children and family. The father of three has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas in human environmental science of human development and family science.

“I am proudly running as a Republican,” Harris said. “I have been part of the Republican party since being able to vote. But in saying that, I want to make it clear I want to be an American fi rst and an Arkansas citizen; and fight for District 87. Let my action show that I care for the people of this district and that I will work hard for the people of this district. Let’s not just work on the problems of today, but for the solutions of tomorrow.”

News, Pages 6 on 11/04/2009

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