Patrick Henry Hays, the former Mayor of North Little Rock, is a proven problem solver known throughout Arkansas for his track record of working with Republicans and Democrats to deliver results for businesses, neighborhoods and families. As Mayor Hays says – “there’s no such thing as Republican crime or Democratic garbage,” and it’s exactly these true Arkansas values that are missing from Congress and that Mayor Hays is fighting to bring back to Washington.
During his six terms as Mayor – the longest tenure in the city’s history – Patrick Henry Hays’ fiscal responsibility and commitment to strong city finances transformed North Little Rock into an engine of economic growth for the state and point of pride for the community. While Congress was recklessly spending tax dollars in Washington, Mayor Hays’ accomplishments in North Little Rock include balancing 24 budgets, slashing the city’s debt, reducing the cost of water and electricity and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars by cutting waste and doing more with less, all while delivering quality, cost effective services for residents – from putting more police officers on the streets, to picking up leaves.
These achievements enhanced the quality of life for Arkansans and created an environment that attracted investment and helped businesses grow the next generations of good paying jobs. By making smart investments and refusing to let politics stand in the way of solving problems, Mayor Hays helped champion the construction of Verizon Arena, Dickey Stephens ballpark, and the location of a Caterpillar Factory to North Little Rock – bringing hundreds of job and millions of dollars to the community, attracting tourism and revitalizing the downtown and the River Walk neighborhoods -- even in the midst of a recession as other cities struggled to stay afloat.
One of Mayor Hays’ proudest accomplishments was the completion of the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center – a state of the art facility that offers North Little Rock seniors a place of their own, providing quality services ranging from healthcare, to meal programs, to social activities to over 700 seniors a day.
Mayor Hays earned the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Prior to his election as Mayor, Hays served as an Assistant City Attorney for North Little Rock. Afterward, he was selected as Chief Legal Counsel for Arkansas' Secretary of State. He was elected State Representative for District 66 and served in the 76th Arkansas General Assembly. A native of North Little Rock, Mayor Hays graduated from North Little Rock High School and earned his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. A firearm owner, fisherman, and duck hunter, Hays is a proud member of the National Rifle Association.
He has been married to Linda Hays for over 30 years. Linda, a retired elementary school teacher, taught for over 35 years. They attend Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock, and are members of the Fraser Sunday School Class. Their daughter Josie and son-in-law Dr. Brent Staggs have three grandchildren – Savannah, Isabella and Harper -- and Mayor Hays' three grandchildren serve as a deep source of inspiration for his campaign to return problem solving values back to Washington so that future generations can achieve the promise of America's opportunity.