State House 5
1. Abortion: Arkansas’ current law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Support
I am firmly Pro-Life, and I support Arkansas’ laws that protect unborn children while allowing medical intervention when the life of the mother is truly at risk. Every life is precious, and I believe our state has taken a strong, moral stand by prohibiting abortion except in cases of genuine medical emergency. This approach upholds the dignity of both mother and child while ensuring doctors can act when necessary to save a woman’s life. I will continue to support policies that defend the most vulnerable among us, strengthen a culture of life, and provide resources for mothers, families, and children across Arkansas.
I am firmly Pro-Life, and I support Arkansas’ laws that protect unborn children while allowing medical intervention when the life of the mother is truly at risk. Every life is precious, and I believe our state has taken a strong, moral stand by prohibiting abortion except in cases of genuine medical emergency. This approach upholds the dignity of both mother and child while ensuring doctors can act when necessary to save a woman’s life. I will continue to support policies that defend the most vulnerable among us, strengthen a culture of life, and provide resources for mothers, families, and children across Arkansas.
2. Abortion: Establishing a permanent funding stream to provide state-funded grants to charities that provide women with alternatives to abortion.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Support
While government funding is not always the best or only answer, I am open to exploring a permanent, responsible funding stream that would provide state-funded grants to charities and organizations that support women with real alternatives to abortion. Many of these groups offer counseling, medical support, housing assistance, adoption services, and long-term care that strengthens both mothers and families. I believe Arkansas can champion life not only through law, but through compassion—supporting women in crisis and ensuring they never feel alone.
While government funding is not always the best or only answer, I am open to exploring a permanent, responsible funding stream that would provide state-funded grants to charities and organizations that support women with real alternatives to abortion. Many of these groups offer counseling, medical support, housing assistance, adoption services, and long-term care that strengthens both mothers and families. I believe Arkansas can champion life not only through law, but through compassion—supporting women in crisis and ensuring they never feel alone.
3. Education: The Arkansas LEARNS Act Educational Freedom Accounts that lets families use public dollars to pay for an education at a private school or homeschool.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Oppose
I fully support a parent’s right to choose the best educational path for their children—whether that’s public school, private school, or homeschooling. I exercised that choice myself when my sons attended private school, and I never expected taxpayers to fund that personal decision. However, I oppose using public tax dollars to subsidize private or home-schooling, without some oversite and testing. Public school funds are allocated by voters to support the local schools that serve our entire community. When those dollars are diverted away, it weakens the very system most families rely on. I believe in preserving strong, well-funded public schools while protecting the freedom of parental choice without shifting the financial responsibility to taxpayers.
I fully support a parent’s right to choose the best educational path for their children—whether that’s public school, private school, or homeschooling. I exercised that choice myself when my sons attended private school, and I never expected taxpayers to fund that personal decision. However, I oppose using public tax dollars to subsidize private or home-schooling, without some oversite and testing. Public school funds are allocated by voters to support the local schools that serve our entire community. When those dollars are diverted away, it weakens the very system most families rely on. I believe in preserving strong, well-funded public schools while protecting the freedom of parental choice without shifting the financial responsibility to taxpayers.
4. Drugs: Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Oppose
I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arkansas because I believe it would create more problems than it solves. Law enforcement, educators, and medical professionals across our state continue to warn about the impact of increased drug availability on teens, public safety, and workplaces. We are already facing challenges with impaired driving, addiction, and mental-health concerns—legalization would only add to that burden. While I support responsible medical use under strict guidelines, I do not believe recreational marijuana aligns with the values or long-term well-being of our communities. My priority is keeping Arkansas families safe, healthy, and focused on building strong, successful futures.
I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arkansas because I believe it would create more problems than it solves. Law enforcement, educators, and medical professionals across our state continue to warn about the impact of increased drug availability on teens, public safety, and workplaces. We are already facing challenges with impaired driving, addiction, and mental-health concerns—legalization would only add to that burden. While I support responsible medical use under strict guidelines, I do not believe recreational marijuana aligns with the values or long-term well-being of our communities. My priority is keeping Arkansas families safe, healthy, and focused on building strong, successful futures.
5. Tech: Requiring major social media websites to verify all users’ ages in order to protect children on their platforms.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Support
I support requiring major social media platforms to verify the ages of all users in order to protect Arkansas children. Too many young people are being exposed to harmful content, online predators, bullying, and addictive algorithms long before they are mature enough to navigate the digital world safely. Age verification is a reasonable and necessary step that holds Big Tech accountable for the platforms they profit from. Our kids’ safety must come before corporate convenience, and I will stand firmly for stronger online protections for families.
I support requiring major social media platforms to verify the ages of all users in order to protect Arkansas children. Too many young people are being exposed to harmful content, online predators, bullying, and addictive algorithms long before they are mature enough to navigate the digital world safely. Age verification is a reasonable and necessary step that holds Big Tech accountable for the platforms they profit from. Our kids’ safety must come before corporate convenience, and I will stand firmly for stronger online protections for families.
6. Gambling: Letting casinos in Arkansas conduct gambling online.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Support
I support allowing Arkansas casinos to offer regulated online gambling as a way to keep revenue, jobs, and economic growth here at home. Many Arkansans already gamble online through out-of-state platforms, sending millions of dollars elsewhere with no local benefit or oversight. By allowing our licensed casinos to operate online, we can create a safer, more accountable system that generates tax revenue for Arkansas communities while ensuring strong consumer protections. This approach strengthens our economy while keeping gaming activity within a regulated, responsible framework.
I support allowing Arkansas casinos to offer regulated online gambling as a way to keep revenue, jobs, and economic growth here at home. Many Arkansans already gamble online through out-of-state platforms, sending millions of dollars elsewhere with no local benefit or oversight. By allowing our licensed casinos to operate online, we can create a safer, more accountable system that generates tax revenue for Arkansas communities while ensuring strong consumer protections. This approach strengthens our economy while keeping gaming activity within a regulated, responsible framework.
7. Elections: Current ballot initiative efforts to change the Arkansas Constitution to make it easier for private individuals or entities to place measures on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Oppose
I oppose current ballot-initiative efforts that would make it easier for private individuals or entities to amend the Arkansas Constitution. Our Constitution should not be swayed by well-funded special interests or out-of-state groups seeking to advance their own agendas. The existing process ensures that only measures with broad public support and careful consideration make it to the ballot. Weakening those safeguards risks turning our Constitution into a political battleground rather than a stable foundation for our state. I believe Arkansas deserves a deliberate, responsible amendment process that protects voters and preserves the integrity of our laws.
I oppose current ballot-initiative efforts that would make it easier for private individuals or entities to amend the Arkansas Constitution. Our Constitution should not be swayed by well-funded special interests or out-of-state groups seeking to advance their own agendas. The existing process ensures that only measures with broad public support and careful consideration make it to the ballot. Weakening those safeguards risks turning our Constitution into a political battleground rather than a stable foundation for our state. I believe Arkansas deserves a deliberate, responsible amendment process that protects voters and preserves the integrity of our laws.
8. Guns: Confiscation of firearms from citizens that the government deem a danger to themselves or others, otherwise known as red flag laws.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Undecided
I am an extremely strong supporter of the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. At the same time, I recognize the concerns surrounding individuals who may pose a genuine danger to themselves or others. I am not committed to supporting or opposing so-called red flag laws at this time. I would be willing to review legislation that focuses narrowly on preventing violence, but only if it includes strict due-process protections, clear evidence standards, and strong safeguards against government overreach. I will not support any measure that could create a pathway to limit the rights of responsible gun owners. Before making a decision, I would need to see the exact wording to ensure it addresses real threats without infringing on our constitutional freedoms.
I am an extremely strong supporter of the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. At the same time, I recognize the concerns surrounding individuals who may pose a genuine danger to themselves or others. I am not committed to supporting or opposing so-called red flag laws at this time. I would be willing to review legislation that focuses narrowly on preventing violence, but only if it includes strict due-process protections, clear evidence standards, and strong safeguards against government overreach. I will not support any measure that could create a pathway to limit the rights of responsible gun owners. Before making a decision, I would need to see the exact wording to ensure it addresses real threats without infringing on our constitutional freedoms.
9. Marriage: The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
Jeff Pratt (Republican)
Oppose
I oppose the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage. For me, this is fundamentally a moral and faith-based issue. I believe the institution of marriage is a sacred covenant designed to be between one man and one woman. While I do not oppose anyone’s right to form partnerships or live their lives as they choose, I also believe that my religious convictions deserve the same respect. Upholding traditional marriage is part of my deeply held values, and I believe states should have the authority to define marriage in a way that reflects the beliefs of their citizens.
I oppose the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage. For me, this is fundamentally a moral and faith-based issue. I believe the institution of marriage is a sacred covenant designed to be between one man and one woman. While I do not oppose anyone’s right to form partnerships or live their lives as they choose, I also believe that my religious convictions deserve the same respect. Upholding traditional marriage is part of my deeply held values, and I believe states should have the authority to define marriage in a way that reflects the beliefs of their citizens.