Dr. Beth Anne Rankin Baker of Magnolia has announced her candidacy for Arkansas State Representative District 99 which comprises parts of Miller, Lafayette and Columbia counties.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Lane Jean (R-Magnolia) who cannot seek re-election due to term limits. Rep. Jean endorsed Rankin Baker, stating, “Beth Anne is the right person to fight for Southwest Arkansas, Southern Arkansas University, and the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana.”

Rankin Baker is a Republican. Party primaries are on March 3, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026.

Dr. Rankin Baker said, “This is an unprecedented and exciting time in the history of southwest Arkansas as we work together to advance economic development opportunities that will positively impact Arkansas on a transformational level. Working with community, corporate, nonprofit, and educational leaders, we will continue to build a strong framework of economic infrastructure, workforce training, community development, and educational opportunities to serve the needs of an ever-changing economic landscape.”

After graduating as Ouachita Baptist University’s Outstanding Senior Woman and following her year of service as Miss Arkansas 1994, Rankin Baker served as a policy advisor and director of state-federal affairs for Gov. Mike Huckabee, working with the National Governors Association, Capitol Hill, and the White House.

Rankin Baker expressed gratitude for the early groundwork that role played in understanding the federal-state relationship and its impact at the local level and is ready to work with local, state, and national leaders on important issues facing southwest Arkansas in the future.

Gov. Sarah Sanders said, “I have known Beth Anne for 30 years, and I am proud to support her campaign for the state legislature. As someone who has taught thousands of kids, she will be a strong voice in the fight to empower parents and students as we take Arkansas education to the top. And as someone who has extensive private and public sector experience, she will be a great partner as we work together to bring more jobs and businesses to our great state. Beth Anne is a person of high character and integrity who loves south Arkansas. She will represent her community with strength, passion, and commitment, and I look forward to working with her as we make Arkansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Currently an organizational consultant and teacher with Rankin Consulting and Good Work Partnership, Dr. Rankin Baker’s experience includes executive director of the Arkansas 529 College Savings Plan in the Arkansas State Treasurer’s Office, associate director of Development for SAU, and serving on the Arkansas State Board of Education.

Rankin Baker said her legislative focus will reflect the priorities of southwest Arkansas, with an emphasis on economic development, education, agriculture, natural resources, tourism, and STEAM.

While working for Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rankin Baker coordinated the Governor’s Summit on Economic Development, served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and Arkansas Election Reform Study Commission, and collaborated with the U.S. Mint to chair the statewide initiative for the historical design of the Arkansas State Quarter, which led the nation in citizen participation.

President of Rankin Consulting, senior consultant with Good Work Partnership, and adjunct instructor in the MPA graduate program at SAU, Rankin Baker Anne is also a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) and organizational consultant focusing on data-driven strategic planning, program evaluation, and leadership development.

Active in PEO, a women’s philanthropic education organization, Rankin Baker is a member of the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Columbia County Republican Committee, and Magnolia Arts. Beth Anne and her husband, Dr. Carey L. Baker, associate vice president of Student Services and Dean of Students at SAU, live in Magnolia and are members of First Baptist Church.

magnoliareporter.com accepts for free publication announcements of political office candidacy. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, which is five hours after the end of the filing period for the 2026 state elections.

The political party primary and non-partisan judicial election will be March 3, 2026. The general election will be Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Email your announcement to .