Donnie Copeland

Donnie Ray Copeland
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
from the 38th district
Preceded by Patti Julian
Personal details
Born

(1961-03-16) March 16, 1961
Monroe, Ouachita Parish

Louisiana, USA
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Shari Annette Copeland
Children

Three children, including

Cory Don Copeland
Residence North Little Rock
Pulaski County
Arkansas
Alma mater University of Louisiana at Monroe
Occupation Pentecostal pastor at Apostolic Church in North Little Rock

Donnie Ray Copeland (born March 16, 1961)[1] is the pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas,[2] who is a departing one-term Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 38 in Pulaski County.[3]

Background

A native of Monroe in northeast Louisiana, Copeland attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, when the institution was known as Northeast Louisiana University. He is the former pastor of the Greater Life Church in Sherman, Texas. Earlier, he was an assistant pastor in West Monroe, Louisiana. He is associated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and sits on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.[1]

He and his wife, the former Shari Annette Copeland, have three children.[1]

Political life

Rather than seeking a second term in the state House, Copeland ran unsuccessfully on March 1, 2016, in the Republican primary election for the District 34 seat in Arkansas State Senate. He polled 6,365 votes (48.8 percent) against the successful incumbent, Jane English, who received 6,687 votes (51.2 percent).[4] English faces the Democrat Joe Woodson, also of North Little Rock, in the November 8 general election.[5] Copeland will be succeeded in January 2017 by either fellow Republican Carlton Wing or the Democrat Victoria Leigh, who meet in the upcoming general election.[6]

In 2014, Copeland won the House position with 5,710 votes (51.5 percent), when he unseated the one-term Democrat Patti Julian, who polled 5,389 votes (48.5 percent).[4]

In his legislative term, Copeland served on these committees: (1) City, County and Local Affairs, (2) Judiciary, (3) Energy, and (4) Joint Public Retirement and Social Security.[3][1]

In 2010, Copeland polled 60,072 votes (48.1 percent) in his first election contes, a run for the Republican primary for Arkansas lieutenant governor, having been defeated by Mark Darr, who received 64,883 votes (51.9 percent). Darr then defeated in the general election the Democrat Shane Broadway for the seat vacated by another Democrat, Bill Halter.[4]

After Copeland lost the state Senate primary, the Jacksonville City Council voted to condemn some apartments which Copeland owns. He was given thirty days to demolish the units or bring them up to code standards. The city claims the apartments are a blight on nearby Dupree Park, which is used for baseball tournaments. Copeland said that he has no interest in being a "slum lord" and may have to raze the apartments. He is seeking a loan to develop the property.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Donnie Copeland's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  2. "Donnie Copeland". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Donnie Copeland". arkansashouse.org. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Copeland, Donnie". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  5. "Arkansas State Senate 34". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  6. "Arkansas House of Representatives District 38". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  7. Max Brantley (March 21, 2016). "Jacksonville Council condemns state Rep. Donnie Copeland's apartments". Retrieved April 30, 2016.
Preceded by
Patti Julian
Arkansas State Representative for
District 38 (Pulaski County)

Donnie Ray Copeland
20152017

Succeeded by
Pending
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