Joyce Elliott

Joyce Ann Elliott (born March 20, 1951) is an American politician from the state of Arkansas. From 2009 to 2022, she was a member of the Arkansas Senate representing the 31st district, which consisted of portions of Little Rock and Pulaski County. She was previously a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, serving from 2001 to 2007. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Elliott was the Democratic nominee in the 2010 and 2020 elections for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district, losing the former election to Republican Tim Griffin, and the latter to incumbent Republican French Hill. If elected, she would have been the only African American to ever represent Arkansas in Congress.

Early life, education, and career Joyce Ann Elliott was born on March 20, 1951, in Willisville, Arkansas. Elliott was the second person of color to graduate from recently integrated Willisville High School in 1969, with her older sister being the first.

Elliott spent four years as the president of the Pulaski County chapter of the National Education Association from 1985 to 1989, later leaving to join and lead the state's American Federation of Teachers chapter in 1992. She taught English at Joe T. Robinson High School from 1989 to 2003.

Arkansas State legislature Elliott (right) with Richard Carroll and his wife, Una, in 2010. Elliott served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. In 2008, she was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, where she represented the 31st district.

Elliott began working on hate crime legislation in 2001 during her first term in office. Arkansas is one of three states without a statute criminalizing various types of bias-motivated violence or intimidation.

In 2020, she was the chair of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus.

2020 congressional campaign In 2020, Elliott ran for the United States House of Representatives in Arkansas's 2nd congressional district against Republican incumbent French Hill. Her campaign was endorsed by Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. She lost to Hill in the general election with 44.6% of the vote.

Personal life Elliott was formerly married to Bill Barnes, with whom she has a son, Elliott. In June 2000, she donated a kidney to her sister.

Elections

2000 election

2010 election

Elliott ran against Republican nominee Timothy Griffin for the seat of retiring Democratic incumbent Vic Snyder who retired. In the general election, Elliott lost to Griffin.

2020 election

Elliott announced her candidacy for the U.S. House in Arkansas's 2nd congressional district on November 12, 2019, against Republican incumbent French Hill.