Rex Nelson

Rex Nelson (born September 2, 1959) is an American journalist, columnist, author, sports broadcaster, and former political appointee. He is a senior editor and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and is known for writing about Arkansas history, politics, food, culture, and rural communities.

Nelson previously served as director of policy and communications for Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Delta Regional Authority in 2005. He is also the longtime radio voice of Ouachita Baptist University football.

Early life and education Nelson was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on September 2, 1959, to Robert "Red" Nelson and Carolyn Caskey Nelson. The White House later described him as graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in political philosophy. He received Ouachita's Alumni Milestone Award in 2012.

Nelson also helped found the Little Rock Touchdown Club and the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. He has served on boards including the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, the Arkansas Humanities Council, the National Food and Beverage Foundation, the Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, the Arkansas Travelers professional baseball club, the Historic Arkansas Museum Commission, and the Arkansas Cinema Society.

In 2016, Nelson was inducted into the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.

In 2023, Nelson was selected to receive the Arkansas Press Association's Journalism Educator Award.

Personal life Nelson married Melissa Garcia on October 14, 1989. They have two sons and live in Little Rock.