State Senate Narrowly Confirms Former Sanders Staffer to Board of Corrections

State Senate narrowly confirms former Sanders staffer to Board of Corrections

The Arkansas Senate confirmed Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ former deputy chief of staff to the state Board of Corrections Friday, with several GOP lawmakers opposing his appointment over his role in the governor’s push for a 3,000-bed prison project. Two Democrats voted to confirm Jamie Barker, who left Sanders’ office last year and is now a lobbyist, giving him a narrow 19-11 confirmation in the 35-member chamber. Sanders appointed B…

Arkansas Senate narrowly confirms Sanders’ pick for Board of Corrections; appointment divides GOP and Democrats | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The Arkansas Senate on Friday narrowly confirmed Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' appointment of lobbyist and the governor's former deputy chief staff Jamie Barker to the state Board of Corrections.

Arkansas Senate narrowly confirms former Sanders staffer to Board of Corrections

From left: Republican Sens. Terry Rice of Waldron, Bryan King of Green Forest and Brad Simon of Paris await the start of a Senate business meeting on March 20, 2026. All three voted against confirming Jamie Barker to the Board of Corrections. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)The Arkansas Senate confirmed Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ former deputy chief of staff to the state Board of Corrections Friday, with several GOP lawmakers…