Why?

He’s the incoming Senate Pro Tem (leader), but even if he weren’t, he’d be on this list. He doesn’t talk a whole lot, but when he does, people tend to listen.

He also has a good relationship with Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders and has big business in his backyard.

Why?

He’s one of the most experienced legislators, having served 14 years – including a stint as Senate Pro Tem. Sen. Dismang will chair Joint Budget in the upcoming session.

He is a voice that other legislators listen to, and he hasn’t been afraid in the past to break with colleagues when it’s something he believes in. Sen. Dismang does his research and debates really well, often making those who try to buck him end up looking foolish.

Why?

Like Sen. Dismang, Sen. Irvin has been around a while, having served 12 years already.

She will chair the Senate Public Health Committee, which is always a heavy lift – even more so with abortion decisions delegated to the states.

Why?

Sen. Clarke Tucker is one of the few Democrats to make this list, in part because they are too outnumbered to carry much power. Sen. Tucker, however, is well respected on both sides of the aisle.

He approaches issues in an even-handed, calm way that doesn’t isolate his Republican colleagues and has engendered support from even the most partisan Republican firebrands. He brings well-reasoned legal perspective that is often much needed.

He’ll serve as vice chair on State Agencies and will also serve on the Judiciary Committee.

Why?

Sen. Terry Rice will chair Arkansas Legislative Council, a powerful committee that operates even between sessions. He has served 14 years in the Legislature.

Why?

Sen. Chesterfield is one of the longest-serving legislators and brings expertise in education, which is likely to be a large focus of the next session. She will be vice chair of the Education Committee.

Sen. Chesterfield is neither afraid to fight her corner or averse to exercising patience. Though she might not get many of her objectives passed in the next session, expect to see her as one of the most powerful voices from the Democratic Party.

Why?

We think new Senators Jim Dotson and Justin Boyd will hold the most sway of the incoming Senators. Both have experience in the House of Representatives and tend to be thoughtful participants.

Sen. Dotson is from Bentonville and will serve on the Education and State Agencies committees – among others. Sen. Boyd is from Fort Smith and will serve on Senate Public Health and Legislative Council – among others.

Why?

While the House has yet to have its organizational meeting, Rep. Matthew Shepherd will almost assuredly be re-elected to his position as Speaker of the House.

He proved he can manage unwieldy situations in a drama-filled 93rd General Assembly, where the House uncharacteristically managed to be the more stable of the two legislative chambers.

Why?

Do you know those people who seemingly have their hands on everything all at once? That’s Rep. Jeff Wardlaw.

He is co-chair of Arkansas Legislative Council this session and will likely retain powerful committee assignments after the House organizational meeting. He’s one of the most experienced House members, first elected in 2010, in a chamber that tends to have higher turnover than its counterpart.

Why?

Rep. Lane Jean is part of that powerful South Arkansas House member coalition. It’s interesting that the most powerful Senators hail from Northwest Arkansas, and the most powerful House members tend to be from South Arkansas.

Rep. Jean headed up Joint Budget in this current session. We can expect to see him continue to be a force when it comes to state budgetary issues.

Why?

Rep. Jon Eubanks may not chair a lot of committees, but discount his sway at your peril. He’s the Speaker Pro-Tempore, meaning he takes the big chair when the Speaker steps away. He also serves on the Joint Budget Committee, the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, and the House Rules Committee. 

Why?

Rep. Tippi McCullough is the Minority Leader in the House for the current session. Like the other Democrats on our list, she is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

If she is re-elected as Minority Leader, she will head up the 18 Democrats in the House – a significant voting block. She also has a background in education, which will be valuable in the upcoming session.