SPRINGDALE — Vortex PAC, which launched one month ago today, has launched a call for nominations, seeking “extraordinary ordinary” Arkansans who are passionate about their communities and want to make a difference in the U.S. Congress.

“We’re asking Arkansans to ‘Nominate Your Neighbor,’” explained Robb Ryerse, executive director. “We invite you to tell us about that person you know who loves Arkansas and is committed to making it a better place for their family and friends. We’re looking for people rooted in Arkansas who are ready to work for real solutions to real problems in the divisive political environment that we live in. If you know someone who fits the bill, we want to hear about them.”

Vortex PAC is accepting nominations on its website at vortexpac.com/nominations. 

In one month of existence, Vortex PAC reports progress in several areas, including establishing an experienced core team and key volunteers, planning a Vortex Road Show, which will take the organization to all 75 Arkansas counties to start mobilizing voters early to flip all four of Arkansas’ Congressional seats in 2024, and earning media coverage on its February 7 launch. Today’s launch of nominations is key milestone in the organization’s efforts.

"We’re off to a strong start for our first month, and now it’s time to really lift off,” Ryerse added. “We launched Vortex exactly one month ago today, and we look forward to everyone’s candidate submissions and can’t wait to meet the people who are inspiring their neighbors across the state”

Vortex PAC launched on February 7 with a statement from co-founder, Chris Jones, who made history last year in his 2022 campaign for governor of Arkansas.

“We launched Vortex PAC, an all-new grassroots movement that will transform Arkansas politics by building organizing power for Democrats in all 75 counties. Our first objective is to replace all four of the Arkansas Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Jones stated. “Gerrymandering and voter suppression have played a significant role in keeping these far-right politicians in power in our beautiful state. The only way to change that is to build the infrastructure we need to get better people elected – representatives who will actually listen to us and stand for our values. I know this is a heavy lift, and I also know we can do it.”

The PAC’s name stems from a theme in Jones’ 2022 campaign, which he explained in February’s launch: “If you followed my campaign for governor closely, you may have heard me tell the story of the bumblebee. Years ago, scientists determined that it was aerodynamically impossible for the bumblebee to fly – their bodies are too big and their wings are too small. But someone forgot to tell the bumblebee, because they’ve been flying all along. We know now that bumblebees work hard and by flapping their wings they create a vortex that lifts them up and makes them fly. And that’s just what we’re going to do here in Arkansas. We are the vortex, and together we will rise up.

About Vortex PAC

Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from far-right extremism. Vortex is recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. Learn more at vortexpac.com.