| Johnny Coleman Rye, Jr. | |
 | |
Arkansas State Representative for
District 54 (Mississippi and Poinsett counties) | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | David Ray "Dave" Wallace |
|---|---|
| Born | 1956 |
| Citizenship | American |
| Political party | Democrat-turned-Republican (2015) |
| Spouse(s) | Julie M. Rye |
| Children | Robin Rye Dabney |
| Residence | Trumann Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Marked Tree High School Arkansas State University |
| Occupation | Former county official |
| Religion | United Methodist |
Johnny Coleman Rye, Jr. (born 1956)[1] is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 54, which encompasses Mississippi and Poinsett counties in the eastern portion of his state. Previously, as a Democrat, he was the county assessor for Poinsett County, with service from 1991 to 2016.[2]
A United Methodist who resides in Trumann, Arkansas, Rye graduated from Marked Tree High School in Marked Tree in Poinsett County and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.[2] Early in his career, he was employed by The Jonesboro Sun newspaper.[1] He and his wife, Julie, have a daughter, Dr. Robin Rye Dabney, a nurse practitioner in Memphis, Tennessee.[2]
Rye was elected to the state House in 2016 to succeed the one-term David Ray "Dave" Wallace, Jr., who was instead elevated to the Arkansas State Senate.[2] Rye serves on these House committees: (1) City, County, and Local Government, (2) Public Retirement and Social Security Programs, and (3) Public Transportation.[3] He voted to ban abortions for sex-selection and co-sponsored the establishment of certain restrictions on abortion providers. He also co-sponsored the state law requiring personal identification as a condition for voting in Arkansas. Rye voted against the failed legislation to require Internet retailers to collect Arkansas state sales taxes.[4]
See also
- Jimmy Gazaway, state representative for District 57
- Carlton Wing, state representative for District 38
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Johnny Rye. Intelius.com. Retrieved on October 8, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Michael Wilkey (September 2, 2015). Johnny Rye Officially Announces for State Representative. Talk Business Arkansas. Retrieved on October 8, 2017.
- ↑ Johnny Rye's Biography. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on October 8, 2017.
- ↑ Johnny Rye's Voting Record. Project Vote Smart.