Special to Deltaplex:
State Representative Vivian Flowers announced her campaign for mayor of Pine Bluff. After nine years in office, she will not seek re-election to the Arkansas Legislature. First elected to the legislature in 2014, Rep. Flowers has been a strong advocate and consistent voice on critical issues such as health, education, criminal and social justice, voting rights and good government, as well as heritage tourism development in Pine Bluff. The Preferential Primary Election is scheduled for March 5, 2024.
“My public service background didn’t begin with the Clinton School of Public Service; rather, it is rooted in Pine Bluff, my birthplace and my home,” said Rep. Flowers. “My love for Pine Bluff is underpinned by my dedicated years of service to the Pine Bluff Historic District Commission, where I gained insight into why our historic structures and our local history are so integrally tied to development, housing and tourism. My commitment to Pine Bluff as a state legislator has been steadfast, and I will continue this commitment as mayor by continuing to be accessible and listen to the people, working with the business community to streamline red tape and optimize customer service throughout our city departments, to recognize and reward our dedicated city workers from the bottom up, and pursuing the most efficient solutions to our challenges.”
As a legislator, Rep. Flowers has been an unapologetically proud and strong voice for Pine Bluff and for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) while securing and advocating for resources for both. She was instrumental in helping secure grant funding for the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center, passing legislation that established the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Highway and obtaining permanent placement of the Arkansas Entertainment Hall of Fame exhibit and fundraiser in Pine Bluff. Rep. Flowers worked successfully with other members of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus to ensure funding for the UAPB 1890 state match and is currently working to address the $12-billion historic underfunding of UAPB and other HBCUs recently highlighted in national media coverage.
Rep. Flowers’ support for historic preservation tax credits, fair housing, education and health policies are tied to her advocacy for economic development in Pine Bluff and other Southeast Arkansas cities in dire need of more state support and regionalized local leadership. She has been a recipient of local, state and national legislative awards for her leadership and legislative work at the forefront and behind the scenes of numerous issues. She has sponsored and co-sponsored dozens of bills that have been passed into law, and others that did not pass but elevated public discourse and awareness.
Transparent and accountable government has also been at the forefront of Rep. Flowers’ service and advocacy. From serving on the Common Cause Board as a college student and young adult to passing legislation that expanded public transparency in 2019, she has demonstrated a solid commitment to responsive and accountable governance.
A fifth generation Arkansan, Rep. Flowers is an inaugural graduate of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and professional technical writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is the daughter of Mary and Dr. John A. Flowers, Sr. and granddaughter of the late Martha and Dr. Cleon A. Flowers. Rep. Flowers is a member of St. John A.M.E. Church and is a lifetime member of the Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP.
