The First Question I’ll Ask About Every Bill

If elected to represent District 16 in the Arkansas State Senate, every bill I consider will begin with one question:

“Will this strengthen or weaken the long-term health and integrity of the State of Arkansas — and of the Republic?”

It won’t be the only question — but it will always be the first.

Because if we don’t protect the foundation, nothing else lasts.

Too often, decisions in government are driven by short-term thinking — soundbites, partisan pressure, or political convenience. But the people of Arkansas deserve better than that. We need leaders who think in decades, not just election cycles. Leaders who are guided by principle, not politics.

If I’m elected, I’ll approach every piece of legislation with this mindset:

Does this respect the people it affects?

Does it uphold the Constitution and the rule of law?

Does it invest in our future — not just react to the moment?

That’s the standard I’ll hold myself to. And it’s the kind of accountability I believe every public servant owes the people they represent.

Because true leadership isn’t about chasing headlines — it’s about doing the hard, thoughtful work of preserving what matters most and building what’s missing.

That’s what I’ll bring to the Arkansas Senate.

Clear principles. Real accountability. A future worth building.

With respect for all Arkansans,

Joshua Irby

Paid for by Joshua Irby