CHARLESTON, ARKANSAS — Lifelong Charleston resident and community advocate Ronni Tate Young has officially announced her candidacy for State Representative for Arkansas House District 46, pledging to bring integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to local values to the State Capitol.
A seventh-generation resident of the 46th district, Young’s roots in this district run deep. Her family has called this land home since before 1875. Her great-great-grandparents were among those displaced when the U.S. government acquired land for Fort Chaffee, an experience that shaped her lasting understanding of fairness, land stewardship, and community resilience.
Growing up on her family’s dairy farm, Young learned early the value of hard work and dedication. From the age of twelve, she joined her father in milking cows twice daily, continuing until the dairy closed in 2001. To this day, she still works alongside her father and brother in the hay fields. This is a testament to her enduring connection to agriculture and the values of perseverance, family, and service.
Professionally, Young has built a career defined by responsibility and service to others. She currently serves as a Commercial Insurance Marketing Specialist for Cross Pointe Insurance Advisors, where she helps local businesses secure the protection they need to thrive. Her previous experience includes roles in farm and agribusiness insurance, customer service, and health coaching, giving her an authentic understanding of the challenges facing Arkansas’s working families, small business owners, and farmers.
Her civic involvement reflects that same commitment to her community. Young serves on the Charleston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and previously participated in the Logan County Leadership Class 5, a regional program dedicated to civic engagement and economic development. She also served on the Paint the Park Pink Committee, helping raise awareness and funds for breast cancer prevention, and has spent more than a decade volunteering as a sports photographer for the Charleston Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks, capturing moments that showcase the pride and unity of her community.
In announcing her candidacy, Young shared her motivation to serve:
“This community has shaped every part of who I am — from growing up on a dairy farm to volunteering through photography and civic work. I believe in preserving our local values, supporting families, and making sure future generations have the same opportunities to live, work, and thrive right here at home.”
Her campaign for District 46 focuses on strengthening rural communities, supporting agriculture, improving education for teachers and students, reducing costs for families and farmers, and ensuring transparency in government.
“Too often, decisions are made by people who don’t live with the consequences,” Young said. “It’s time we put our communities first. I’m running because I love this district, and I believe in the future we can build together.”
Beyond her public and professional life, Ronni is most proud of her family. She has been married to her husband, Jamie Young, for over 27 years. Together they have two adult children—son, Drew is engaged to be married and daughter, Gracelin is a senior at Arkansas Tech University—and a beloved grandson, Kellin, age 8, who inspires her every day to build a stronger, brighter future for the next generation.
“I look forward to earning your vote in the March 3, 2026, Republican primary,” concluded Young.
