Biography
Rep. Sonia Barker is serving her 5th term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 96 which includes portions of Union, Ouachita, Calhoun, Bradley, Dallas, and Cleveland counties.
For the 95th General Assembly, Rep. Barker serves as the Chair of the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee. She also serves on the House Education Committee and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.
Rep. Barker graduated with honors from Southern Arkansas University and later taught high school in Smackover.
Rep. Barker is a member of the National Rifle Association and Conservative Arkansas. She is a member of the First Baptist Church in Smackover.
She has three children and resides in Smackover with her husband, John.
State representatives serve in their state's lower legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district's interests in the state capitol, serving on state committees, and shaping the state budget. State legislation covers areas like education, healthcare, transportation, criminal justice, and local taxation that directly affect residents' daily lives.