James Sturch
James Marvin Sturch (born December 8, 1990) is a Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate for District 19 in his native northeast Arkansas and represents Independence, Sharp, Izard, and parts of Fulton and Randolph counties. Sturch was elected to a four-year term in November 2018. Education. Sturch received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with secondary education certification in social studies, from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he was inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. After student teaching, he became an office manager. In 2015, he earned a Master of  Public Administration degree from UALR. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist denomination. Political career. In 2014, Sturch sought the District 63 seat in the Arkansas House vacated by the Democratic incumbent, James McLean. He defeated Anne Moore 1,050 to 646 to win the Republican nomination for the position. Sturch then defeated the Democratic candidate, Lackey Gene Moody Jr., of Batesville 5,343 to 3,386, which was 63% of the vote. Republicans dominated the state races in Arkansas in 2014. Sturch was nearly a quarter century younger than his Democratic opponent and went on to become the youngest member of  the 90th General Assembly, at the age of 24, when he took office. For his first term in the House, Sturch was assigned to the House committees on (1) Rules, (2) Aging, Children and Youth Legislative and Military Affairs, and (3) Public Transportation. As a candidate for renomination in 2016, he defeated Phillip Finch in the Republican primary and ran unopposed in the general election. Sturch served on the House Education committee and State Agencies committee in his second term. In 2018, Sturch was elected State Senator by an overwhelming majority of 73% of the general election vote. In the  92nd General Assembly, he currently serves on the Senate Education and Agriculture/Economic Development committees. Sturch is currently the youngest State Senator and one of the youngest in Arkansas history. He is also Vice Chair of the State Senate Rules committee. Public Service. Sturch has a passion for public service that began at a young age, when he first volunteered for a state gubernatorial campaign more than 15 years ago. Sturch continues to volunteer for a number of organizations that promote civic engagement and public service for all ages. He currently serves as a board member of the Batesville Kiwanis  Club. James and his wife, Macy, reside in Southside, Arkansas.