David Whitaker is a Democratic Arkansas State Representative serving District 22 in the Arkansas House of Representatives, covering a portion of Washington County including parts of Fayetteville. Born April 8, 1961, he is an attorney and veteran who has served his 7th term as of the 95th General Assembly, first elected in 2012 to represent what was then District 85 before redistricting. Notable achievements include serving as House Minority Leader in 2017, receiving the Henry Toll Fellowship from the Council of State Governments in 2019 for legislative leadership, and awards such as the Outstanding Government Attorney Award , Distinguished Legislator by the Arkansas Municipal League , and Legislative Champion by Citizens First Congress . He has sponsored legislation strengthening laws against drunk driving and predatory towing, and supported improvements to local infrastructure like fire departments, libraries, schools, and cemeteries.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned a BA in Geography from the University of Mary Washington and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law .
• Professional Background: Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force; Assistant City Attorney for Fayetteville ; adjunct faculty at Northwest Arkansas Community College ; tenured member of the Arkansas Bar Association’s House of Delegates, past Chair of its Law School Committee and Government Practice Section.
• Political Experience: Elected to the House in 2012 ; House Minority Leader ; current committees include Public Transportation, Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development, Arkansas Legislative Council , and Joint Advanced Communications and Information Technology .