James Marvin Sturch is a Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate for District 19 in his native northeast Arkansas and represents Independence, Sharp, Izard, and parts of Fulton and Randolph counties. Sturch was elected to a four-year term in November 2018.
In 2014, Sturch sought the District 63 seat in the Arkansas House vacated by the Democratic incumbent James McLean. He defeated Anne Moore, 1,050 to 646, to win the Republican nomination for the position. Sturch then defeated the Democratic candidate, Lackey Gene Moody Jr., also of Batesville, 5,343 to 3,386, nearly 62% of the vote. Republicans dominated the state races in Arkansas in 2014. Sturch was nearly a quarter-century younger than his Democratic opponent, and went on to become the youngest member of the 90th General Assembly at the age of 24 when he took office. For his first term in the House, Sturch was assigned to the House committees on: Rules, Aging, Children and Youth Legislative and Military Affairs, and Public Transportation. As a candidate for re-nomination in 2016, he defeated Phillip Finch in the Republican primary, and was unopposed in the general election. Sturch served on the House Education committee and State Agencies committee his second term. In 2018, Sturch was elected State Senator by an overwhelming majority of 73% of the general election vote. For the 92nd General Assembly, he currently serves on the Senate Education and Agriculture/Economic Development committees. Sturch is currently the youngest State Senator, and one of the youngest in Arkansas history. He is also the Vice Chair of Senate Rules committee. Whether it is improving our schools, reforming the tax code or opening our state for business, Senator Sturch has helped move policies forward that expand opportunities for all hard-working Arkansans.
Public Service
Sturch has a passion for public service that began at a young age, when he first volunteered for a state gubernatorial campaign more than 15 years ago. Sturch continues to volunteer for a number of organizations that promote civic engagement and public service for all ages. He currently serves as a board member for the Batesville Kiwanis Club. James and his wife Macy reside in Southside, AR.
