Shawndra Taggart, who has served more than a decade in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, has officially announced her candidacy for reelection.
First elected in 2016, Taggart ran unopposed in both the Democratic primary and general election. She was reelected in 2018, again without opposition, following the passage of Issue 1 — a constitutional amendment that extended terms for Arkansas’ executive county officials from two to four years.
Taggart began her career in the clerk’s office in 2004, working in every department before being named chief deputy county clerk. She said her initial campaign eight years ago was driven by a desire to improve efficiency, strengthen staff performance, and provide faster, higher-quality service to residents.
“From the start, my mission has been to make this office operate more efficiently while empowering our personnel to perform at their highest level,” Taggart said. “The citizens of Jefferson County deserve quality service, delivered with integrity.”
During her tenure, Taggart has emphasized reducing staff turnover, boosting morale, and streamlining operations. According to her campaign, these efforts have resulted in a more responsive office for both the judicial system and county residents.
A Pine Bluff native, Taggart graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1998 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She later obtained dual master’s degrees in human resources management and business administration from Webster University.
Her civic involvement includes serving on the board of the Children’s Advocacy Center, and she is a member of the NAACP, Jefferson County Democratic Women, the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee, the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Club, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter.
Taggart is the mother of two and a grandmother.
“If the citizens allow me to serve again, I will continue working hard to deliver honest, transparent service while pursuing improvements that enhance operations and reduce taxpayer costs,” she said.
