I am honored to announce that I, Valerie Donaldson, am seeking reelection as Desha County and Probate Clerk. Since first being elected in 2012, it has been one of my greatest privileges to serve the people of Desha County. Now in my fifth term, I remain as committed as ever to serving our county with transparency, integrity, and professionalism.
As a lifelong Desha County resident, wife to Jamie Donaldson, a lieutenant with the Dumas Police Department, proud mother of two, and grandmother to one very special two-year-old, I have deep roots here and a heartfelt love for our community. My family and I have lived, worked, and worshiped right here in Desha County, and that connection continues to guide my service every day.
During my time in office, I have worked hard to modernize and improve the Clerk’s office while keeping our county’s values at heart.
Among my accomplishments:
- Streamlined payroll operations by implementing direct deposit, saving taxpayer money and improving access for county employees.
- Created a public website featuring quorum court minutes, ordinances, and resolutions to increase transparency and access to county information.
- Worked closely with commissioners to implement Vote Centers, giving every registered voter in Desha County the convenience to cast their ballot at any polling location.
- Introduced free certified minister ID cards for those filing their credentials.
- Installed a Voter ID system to provide official picture identification in partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office.
- Secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and refunds for voting equipment, elections, emergency services, and veteran programs.
Among my daily duties, I serve our community in numerous capacities, including as:
- Desha County Voter Registrar
- Desha County Payroll and Accounts Payable Clerk
- Desha County Probate Court Clerk
- Desha County Quorum Court Secretary
- Desha County Equalization Board Secretary
- Desha County Election Commission Secretary
- Certified Pollworker Trainer.
I am a member of the Arkansas County Clerks Association, the National Association of Counties, the Dumas and Arkansas City Chambers of Commerce, and the Desha County Museum. I’m also a proud member of Abundant Life Church and a former Vice President of the Dumas Civic Club.
Throughout the years, I’ve been honored to receive recognition from organizations such as the MLK Foundation, the Arkansas National Guard recognizing employers, and others for public service and community dedication. I have also received certificates in cybersecurity and training in recognizing phishing scams & internet attacks. These acknowledgments reflect not just my work-but the teamwork and trust of the people of Desha County. As I look to the future, I promise to continue serving with the same tenacity, transparency, and professionalism that have guided me since day one. Experience matters, and I am ready to continue working for-and with the people of Desha County.
Together, we’ve made great progress. With your continued support, I believe we can do even more to strengthen our county, improve our services, and ensure that every voice is heard. I humbly ask for your vote and your trust once again. Let’s keep Desha County moving forward-together.
– Valerie Donaldson Desha County and Probate Clerk
