Former Arkansas lawmaker Joyce Elliot suffers stroke

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The family of Joyce Elliot released a statement Thursday sharing the news that the longtime Arkansas lawmaker suffered a stroke while traveling.

According to the statement, Elliot was in Dallas when the stoke happened and spent two days receiving treatment in Texas before being transferred back to Little Rock.

Family members said Elliot has successfully undergone surgery but added that her doctors have not made any long-term determination of her prognosis. They also said she is expected to begin rehabilitation as soon as she is able.

Elliot represented parts of Little Rock in the Arkansas State House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007 and in the Arkansas State Senate from 2009 to 2023.

She started her time in the Arkansas Senate as the majority leader and continued to be a rising star in Democratic circles. Elliot twice ran for the Arkansas 2nd District seat in the U.S. House, falling in 2010 to current Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and in 2020 to current seat holder, Rep. French Hill (R-AR).