A Democratic candidate for the Senate seat currently held by Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) has presented himself as an approachable farmer, despite his leadership role in an organization advocating for public assistance for undocumented immigrants.
Harry Shoffner, described as a “keen climate advocate,” launched his campaign aiming to unseat the Republican incumbent after having to shut down his farm this year, according to reports from THV11.
“I was a rice and soybean farmer up until this year. I realized before planting any seeds that I wouldn’t be profitable in 2025, so I had to close,” Shoffner shared on social media last November.
However, in a blog from 2013, she disclosed her prior role as the executive director of Seis Puentes, a nonprofit in Little Rock with the mission of empowering the Latinx community in central Arkansas through education and information to facilitate socio-economic improvements.
In a 2012 Arkansas Times article, Shoffner mentioned that one of the organization’s goals was to assist “undocumented Hispanics” to navigate the American system and engage in civic processes.
Seis Puentes is also in partnership with the City of North Little Rock to help undocumented immigrants obtain valid photo ID, making it easier for them to use public services.
In contrast, Cotton has taken a strong stance against undocumented immigrants accessing driver’s licenses and other benefits.
Prior to his Senate run, Shoffner worked with a marketing firm that rebranded her as “FarmHer Hallie.” She noted how they utilized strategies from that firm for daily operations, including content development and employee training.
As reported previously, Shoffner had donated to various progressive candidates, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), before starting her campaign.
“I know a lot of farmers, but I’ve never met one who has the extra time to lead a left-wing group supporting illegal immigrants,” stated Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester in an exclusive comment. “My dad was a cattle farmer, and he’d have considered this a total no-go.”
Shoffner criticized the previous media coverage of her as being misogynistic, even though the piece was authored by a woman.
