Hey! We’re wishing you an amazing 2026.
So much is happening here at the House of the Black Dogs (that’s what we call our home). We share it with black dog rescues #8 and #9, Koko and Mittens. Tom published the 15th annual installment of Midgie’s newsletter.
Tom and I continue to play music like we have since 2012. Live music here in Northwest Arkansas has really changed — mostly fewer places for bigger bands like Party Line to play. Tom and I are getting Home by Daylight established as a duo, and Tom has several bookings for us on the 2026 calendar.
Please come out to see us when we play. It really helps us get more bookings with the venue. We try to play places that our friends like to go.
You can follow Party Line at @partyline479 here:
X/Twitter https://x.com/partyline479
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/partyline479
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/partyline479/
Follow Home by Daylight at @homebydaylight here:
X/Twitter https://x.com/homebydaylight
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/homebydaylight
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/homebydaylight
Our daughter, Darcie, moved with her family to central Arkansas in September 2023. She likes the slower, less expensive life there. Her daughter, Amara, is 2 years old. Her son, Robert, is 15 years old and lives in Fayetteville with his dad.
My mom is doing well. She’ll be 83 in a few days. I get home to Sapulpa (OK) as often as I can. Besides the challenges of caring for a 50-year-old house and keeping up with her technology, she enjoys sewing, machine knitting, and machine embroidery.
Right now, our house looks like a campaign headquarters instead of Christmas as I am running for Benton County Judge. It’s like a chief administrative officer for the county and not a judicial judge. I describe it as “mayor of the county.”
We just finished Christmas parade season. My awesome friends helped the campaign engage in all TEN Benton County parades.
The election is so close — March 3. I just finished serving my seventh year as an elected justice of the peace (most states call them “county commissioners”). For three years, I’ve been researching solutions to some of our most difficult county issues. There wasn’t a path to implement them as a JP. It could only happen if I served as Benton County Judge. I turned 60 in March. I’m grateful this opportunity comes at a time in my life when I have the time and energy to pursue this next-level role.
I’ve enjoyed my time helping my constituents find ways to resolve issues and making sure their tax dollars are spent wisely. Studying national and regional economic and energy issues helps me understand their influence on our growth and constituents across the county. My master’s degree in business administration, county government experience, and two decades of leadership in volunteer leadership give me an advantage in elected office that my well-funded opponents lack. Click here to read my full bio.
This is my ninth campaign in a competitive race. I’m on two thousand doorsteps every campaign. Hundreds of conversations with voters prepared me for this countywide race where every voter in the county can vote for me. It’s just a matter of getting that info into the hands of conservative voters.
Friends ask how they can help me win this race. Here is how.
Donate money. Arkansas taxpayers get a $50 tax credit ($100 for couples filing jointly) when they donate to a state or local campaign. Write a check for 2025 up until April 15, 2026 (or you file your 2025 Arkansas taxes). After January 1, donors can donate again for their 2026 tax credit. Your donations make it possible to elect honest candidates who work for you instead of special interests and wealthy donors. Any donation gives the campaign more traction.
Sign locations. Who do you know with a great sign location in Benton County? Please ask if they’d put up a sign. I’d like to put a sign in your yard or on your property too.
Share my social media posts and carry my campaign cards with you. My campaign materials have a QR code so your friends can scan it and visit the website. A great conversation starter is, “Have you looked at your March 3 primary ballot yet? My friend, Carrie Smith, is running for Benton County Judge. She said there are many races on the ballot we should vote on.” Sample ballots will be available by mid-January. Access yours by checking your voter registration at the Secretary of State website.
You can find my campaign on social media here:
X/Twitter https://x.com/carrieworks4you
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CarrieWorksForYou
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carrieworksforyou/
Gettr https://gettr.com/user/carrieworksforyou
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@carrieworksforyou
Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-7798782
Volunteer. There are many ways to help based on your availability and interests. That might be knocking on doors, making phone calls, texting or emailing information to friends, holding signs, and hosting a meet and greet with your friends or neighbors.
Bring 10 voters to polls to vote for me. Right now, you can introduce me to voters who really care about local government affairs. I love answering their questions.
Why I’m Running for County Judge
In just few years, Benton County will be the most populated county in the state. Our jail have been critically crowded for over five years, forcing law enforcement officers to allow offenders to walk free. Additionally, our property taxes and rising homeowners insurance are crushing taxpayers due to rising property values. Our water and sewer infrastructure is at capacity in most areas of the county. I’ve visited with constituents and experts and created a platform with eleven initiatives to address these issues and more.
Here are a few initiatives from my campaign platform. Click here to read my full campaign platform.
Reduce inmate recidivism, develop an inmate job training program, provide tools for the juvenile detention center to create lasting success, support our court system with special emphasis on the drug, veterans, and mental health courts, and create a long-term growth plan for the jail.
Plan strategically for population growth, tax base development, and energy needs.
Work to lower property insurance rates and improve emergency response times for constituents outside the city limits by strengthening volunteer fire departments.
Make Benton County the best place for veterans to retire.
Protect our farms and farmers, current and future.
I’m so grateful for your friendship. Your influence on me may not be obvious to you, but you have helped me grow through the way you lead your life. These are not easy times, and God has not promised us an easy road, but He is always right there beside us. For that, and you, I am grateful. I carry you and your inspiration wherever I go.
Blessings to you and your family.
