Colt Shelby

Where Shelby stands

Grouped by topic by Vote Book; headings and quoted words are the candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Education

Education

Every Arkansas child deserves a quality public education. Colt opposes school voucher schemes that siphon funding away from rural communities and local schools.

Energy & environment

Energy & Utilities

Proposed industrial data center expansion threatens to drive up utility rates for Arkansas families and farms. Colt will put ratepayers first — not corporate interests.

Crime & public safety

Prison & Justice Reform

Colt opposes the proposed 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County — a costly, poorly-planned project that will harm rural communities without making Arkansans safer.

Taxes & spending

Fiscal Responsibility

Colt has managed hundreds of millions in contracts with zero waste. He will bring that same discipline to the state budget — your tax dollars deserve accountability.

Jobs, wages & cost of living

Farm Economy

As a working farmer and Franklin County landowner, Colt understands what it takes to keep Arkansas agriculture viable — and he will fight for the people who feed our state.

Elections, ethics & government

Government Transparency

Too many Arkansans feel like their government is hiding things from the hardworking taxpayers who keep this state running. Colt will restore open, honest government.

Background & priorities

Describe in your own words the duties of the office you seek.

The office I’m after is Governor of Arkansas. That’s the state’s top job to work for everyone in Arkansas. The people elect you every four years to run the executive branch, sign or veto bills the legislature sends, put forward a budget, appoint people to boards and agencies, command the National Guard, and make sure the laws actually get carried out. You’re supposed to answer to the taxpayers, keep the books honest, and not hide the ball from the folks who pay the bills. That’s the office. Regnat Populus—the people rule. I’m running to make the Governor’s office mean that again. I will bring back the 3 branches of Government.

Describe in your own words the experience and skills you have that qualifies you for this position.

Most importantly, I have dedicated my life to God, family, and my community. For the past 20 years, I have managed hundred-million-dollar projects across the United States, overseeing budgets, safety, training, revenues, and most of all people. I have had the privilege of working with people from many different cultures around the world, developing some of the best teams in the world. That is what I will do in the state government. I built my own cattle farm from scratch through hard work and dedication. As a sixth-generation Franklin County resident, I have firsthand experience with input costs, rural infrastructure, water use, and farm-family economics these are issues that are directly tied to state policy on utilities and land use.

Describe the first thing you plan to change/improve when you take office and how you will accomplish that goal.

I want to restore the three branches of government. End cronyism. Restore merit. Plan for the future of our families and help those who truly need it. Work on restructuring education, DHS, Game and Fish, the Highway Department, Medicaid, and every department that is failing and running in the red. The change Arkansas needs will be made by Arkansans, not by out-of-state political profiteers. Appointments are key from Arkansas. We must restore public trust in law enforcement, fix corrections, and stop crime on the front end. Stop locking everyone up and start creating real opportunities. I will work with our counties on infrastructure so they can pursue economic development where they want it and not where government picks it for them.