Diana Gonzales WorthenServing

Diana Gonzales Worthen

State HouseDemocrat

AR-HD-09 State House

Mexican-American (granddaughter of immigrants from San Luis Potosi, Mexico)·Arkansas House of Delegates (2025-present)

Why This Race Matters

Diana Gonzales Worthen is running against Matthew Goff (R, challenger).

Gonzales Worthen is the first Latina ever elected to the Arkansas Legislature, representing HD-9 in East Springdale -- Arkansas's first majority-Latino district. She flipped the seat in 2024 with 54.9% of the vote, defeating Republican incumbent DeAnna Hodges after losing to her by just 109 votes in 2022. In her first session, she passed three bills into law on maternity leave, lactation coverage, and blood type IDs.

Running for re-election in 2026 against Matthew Goff, a retired U.S. Army chaplain from Springdale who filed after seeing Worthen was unopposed. Democratic primary was canceled; both advance directly to the general. This was her fourth campaign for office -- she first ran in 2006 and also lost a 2012 State Senate race. Her district has 14 public schools and a significant Marshallese community alongside its majority-Latino population.

Key dates to watch: General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Diana Gonzales Worthen represents District 9 in Springdale (East Springdale) - Arkansas's first majority-Latino district. She made history in 2024 as the first Latina ever elected to the Arkansas Legislature. A lifelong educator with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, she has dedicated her career to education and immigrant community advocacy.

Family & Heritage

Granddaughter of immigrants from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Grandfather became U.S. citizen and showed his citizenship card with great pride. Father was English learner who became computer programmer, served in U.S. Navy. Mother was daughter of migrant workers, attended over 20 schools following harvests, finished high school through night school.

Political Career

Before Politics

Lifelong educator; Principal investigator; Director of Project ELEVATE; Small business owner; Co-founder of OneCommunity (educational programs for immigrant and diverse families)

Education

Associate's Degree, Blinn Junior College; Bachelor's in Biology, University of Houston; Master's in Science Education, University of Texas at Dallas; Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Arkansas; Secondary Principal Certification and ESL Endorsement

Key Issues & Priorities

*Strong schools
*Access to literacy and higher education
*Healthcare and mental health resources
*Quality jobs
*Family support

Notable Legislation

HB1017 (Act 904) - Paid Maternity Leave for School Employees

Amended paid maternity leave provisions for public school employees

enacted

HB1315 (Act 147) - Blood Type on Driver's Licenses

Authorized blood type designations on driver's licenses

enacted

HB1333 (Act 627) - Breastfeeding Service Coverage

Mandated breastfeeding and lactation consultant service coverage

enacted

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