Sarah Huckabee Sanders to bring ‘generational impact’ with ‘bold’ agenda as first female governor of Arkansas

EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Huckabee Sanders will make historical past Tuesday when she is sworn in as the primary feminine governor of Arkansas, and the youngest governor within the nation, with plans to deliver an “aggressive, daring and conservative” agenda that can have a “generational influence” on the state.

Sanders, 40, simply defeated Democratic opponent Chris Jones in November. She succeeds Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who was term-limited and couldn’t run once more. He endorsed her bid.

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS MAKES HISTORY AS ARKANSAS’ FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR

Sanders follows within the footsteps of her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who led the state from 1996 to 2007.

“It’s a fairly humbling factor,” Sanders advised Fox Information Digital throughout an unique interview forward of her inauguration. “So far as we all know, we’ll be the first-ever father-daughter pair anyplace within the nation, and so, you understand, that may be a fairly historic and superb factor.”

Sanders, who labored as a White Home press secretary for former President Donald Trump and on a variety of political campaigns all through her profession, mentioned she “at all times thought” she would work “extra behind the scenes” in politics.

“And right here I’m, something however after the previous few years,” Sanders mentioned.

Trump inspired Sanders to run for governor when she left the White Home in 2019.

“It definitely was not the trail I envisioned, however it’s one I’m extraordinarily excited and captivated with taking over,” Sanders mentioned.

Sanders mentioned she is “just a little biased” however that her father is “definitely the very best governor we’ve ever had right here in Arkansas and among the best governors we’ve ever had within the nation.”

“He’s set the bar excessive, and I’ve very massive footwear to fill,” Sanders mentioned, including that there’s “no one extra hopeful and extra useful in serving to me obtain my objectives.”

Sarah Huckabee Sanders will likely be sworn in as the primary feminine governor of Arkansas on Tuesday.
(Sarah Huckabee Sanders)

Schooling reform is on the prime of Sanders’ checklist after being sworn in.

“I’ve made no secret that the largest precedence I’ve for this session is a large-scale schooling reform bundle,” Sanders mentioned. “I’m actually excited to work with our legislative companions to result in schooling reform that, I feel, could have a generational influence on our state.”

As a mom of three elementary-aged youngsters, a daughter and two sons, Sanders has an inside take a look at school rooms and curriculum throughout the state.

“I’m residing it day-after-day with a fifth-grader, a third-grader and a first-grader, and I really feel the influence of schooling and what it means and what it means to every child,” Sanders mentioned, noting they “all be taught in a different way and all want various things.”

ARKANSAS GOV.-ELECT SARAH SANDERS TAPS FLORIDA OFFICIAL TO BE STATE’S NEXT EDUCATION SECRETARY

“Ensuring that we’re offering the very best pathway and greatest alternatives to each pupil within the state goes to be a giant precedence and going to be crucial as we transfer ahead on this session.”

Sanders mentioned Arkansas has “despatched a fairly sturdy and clear message of what they’re hoping for.”

“There’s a actual starvation, not simply from the general public, however I feel additionally from the legislature right here, the place we have now Republican super-majorities within the Home and the Senate, to do some fairly massive issues and enact some conservative reform,” Sanders mentioned.

Sanders tapped Jacob Oliva, a senior chancellor on the Florida Division of Schooling, to function Arkansas secretary of schooling. 

“My hope is that states look to Arkansas as a mannequin and as a nationwide chief on how you can do it proper,” she mentioned.

ARKANSAS GOV.-ELECT SANDERS APPOINTS VETERAN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO TOP PUBLIC SAFETY POSTS

Different prime priorities for Sanders’ administration, she mentioned, is an emphasis on public security.

“Ensuring that our regulation enforcement officers have the coaching and the sources and the instruments that they should do their job effectively, and being supportive of their efforts, and placing some reality into sentencing right here within the state of Arkansas,” Sanders mentioned, including that she will even concentrate on “ensuring that violent repeat offenders aren’t set free into our group in order that they’ll proceed to commit crime.”

The Huckabee household is celebrating as Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected the primary feminine governor of Arkansas.
(Getty Photographs/ Steven Ferdman)

Sanders already named 26-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police, Capt. Mike Hagar, to function her choose to steer the regulation enforcement company and the Division of Public Security. Sanders mentioned she’ll additionally appoint Hagar to serve concurrently director of the Division of State Police.

Sanders additionally mentioned that A.J. Gary, who’s at present serving as public security secretary, has agreed to remain on as director of the state Division of Emergency Administration in her administration. Hutchinson had named Gary public security secretary in August.

Gary is a retired police chief who served greater than 28 years with the Conway Police Division.

In the meantime, Sanders additionally mentioned that she plans to work to part out Arkansas’ state revenue tax.

“It isn’t going to occur in a single day, however we wish to preserve chipping away at it,” she mentioned, including that she additionally will concentrate on rising Arkansas’ tourism trade.”

As for federal insurance policies impacting the individuals of Arkansas, Sanders mentioned that “a whole lot of the failures of the Biden administration are falling onto the backs of governors.”

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“It is without doubt one of the causes I ran for governor, as a result of I feel that a spot the place you’ll be able to truly implement change and do issues to assist the individuals of your state is at that extra native stage,” she mentioned.

“Washington has, frankly, grow to be so polarized that it’s paralyzed,” she continued. “Little or no constructive, if something, comes out of Washington lately, and so, I’m actually centered on what we will do to empower our residents, defend particular person freedoms and create higher alternative for each Arkansan.”

She added, “A few of that’s pushing again on the out-of-control federal authorities, however a whole lot of it’s specializing in insurance policies that empower our residents right here at house.”