My Bio
Hocevar For Congress for Arkansas's 3rd District. I am running to represent everyone in Arkansas's 3rd district. Not just one party. We are all Americans, and no one should be alienated by their elected officials. Our country is facing serious challenges, and the people of Northwest Arkansas are no exception. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., NW Arkansas must ensure that growth doesn’t come at the expense of those who already call it home. Families shouldn’t be priced out of their communities. We need a representative who will put people first, someone who listens, understands, and acts on real issues facing everyday Arkansans. My Campaign Focuses on Healthcare, Poverty, Housing, Teacher Pay, and Tackling Crippling Debt.
My Key Issues
Housing
As Northwest Arkansas grows, we must ensure that longtime residents aren’t pushed out of the communities they call home. In Fayetteville, about 58% of the city’s 42,000 households are renter-occupied yet only around 4,000 are single-family rental homes. Between 2019 and 2023, the city fell nearly 1,179 homes short of demand, adding pressure to an already tight market. At the same time, home prices continue to climb across the region. Rogers has seen sale prices rise over 3% in the past year, while Benton County’s average home price has increased 72.5% over the last five years now reaching around $485,000. This makes it increasingly difficult for families, students, and graduate researchers to afford living here. To keep our communities strong and inclusive, we must prioritize housing affordability and plan for growth that works for everyone.
Community Health and Wellness
Affordable and accessible healthcare is a critical need in the 3rd District, where nearly 9% of residents are uninsured, with that number expected to rise to over 13% following Medicaid cuts. Losing funding will burden local communities and drive up medical costs, while thousands of children over 11,700 under age 18 already lack coverage; I’m committed to fighting for healthcare policies that protect our families and keep care within reach.
Teachers Pay and Funding
Our teachers in Arkansas earn an average of about $58,000 significantly less than the national average and are often forced to cover essential classroom materials out of their own pockets. I believe we must properly fund education and fairly compensate teachers to ensure they can focus on what matters most: inspiring and supporting our students.
Student Loans
A common misconception among those who haven’t taken out student loans is that borrowers simply don’t want to repay them or avoid taking responsibility. The truth is, many people do repay the amount they originally borrowed sometimes more than once over. The real issue lies in the interest, which keeps accumulating and makes it incredibly difficult to fully pay off the debt. Borrowers often end up paying back the principal several times over. If we want to support the next generation of innovators, educators, and healthcare professionals, we need to focus on making higher education more affordable and fair. Those striving to earn advanced degrees and contribute to society shouldn’t be punished with decades of unmanageable debt.
Minimum Wage
As living and housing costs rise, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 no longer provides a livable income for many Arkansans. I believe we must raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour for full-time workers a yearly salary of $31,200 and adjust tipped workers’ wages accordingly. Even Arkansas’s current minimum wage of $11 per hour falls short in many areas. This increase isn’t just about numbers; it’s about ensuring hardworking people can afford basic needs, support their families, and break free from poverty. Raising the minimum wage is essential for giving all Arkansas citizens and Americans the chance to live with dignity and financial stability.
Send Me a Message
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