John Payton is a Republican state senator representing District 22 in the Arkansas Senate, which includes Independence and Sharp Counties and parts of Cleburne, Fulton, Lawrence, and Izard Counties. Elected to the Senate in 2022 and sworn in on January 9, 2023, he previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2022, including as House Majority Party Whip for the 91st and 93rd General Assemblies and Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore from 2018 to 2020. He currently serves as vice chair of the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee and is a member of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, Joint Performance Review Committee, Joint Budget Committee, and Arkansas Legislative Council.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Missouri Auction School and became a licensed auctioneer.
• Professional Background: Owns two auto auctions and two used auto dealerships; raises cattle on his family farm in Wilburn.
• Notable Achievements and Legislation:
  • Sponsored bills to amend the used tire program, strengthen penalties for catalytic converter theft, protect small school districts from mandatory consolidation, reduce sales and use taxes on certain used motor vehicles/trailers/semitrailers, amend residential contractor lien notice requirements, and allow golf carts on certain county roads.
  • Served in the House from 2013-2022 and Senate from 2023 onward.