Senator Matt Stone

Party: Republican

District: 2

Notable Achievements and Positions: Elected in November 2022 and sworn in January 2023; vice-chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee; member of Senate Education, Efficiency, Ethics Committees and Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. Sponsored the Arkansas Prescribed Burning Act, timber sales amendments, ballot error corrections, and election commissioner compensation changes. Founder and president of Stone Timber Company Inc. ; served on Camden City Council, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team, appointed to Arkansas Forestry Division ; mentor in Camden-Fairview School District; community volunteer.

Matt Stone is a seventh-generation Arkansan and Republican state senator representing District 2. He won the Republican primary in May 2022 against Beth Callaway and James McMenis, then the general election in November 2022 with 67% against Garry Smith, assuming office in 2023. A timber industry leader, he founded Stone Timber Company Inc. with his brother David in 1988 and serves as its president. Stone has been married to his wife Jenny for over 43 years. His public service includes Camden City Council, the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team, and an appointment to the Arkansas Forestry Division in 2018. He has volunteered as a mentor in the Camden-Fairview School District, with Keep Camden Clean, and co-chaired Unity in the Community and Golden Triangle initiatives.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- B.S. in Forestry, University of Arkansas at Monticello

- B.A. in Mine Management and Safety, Midway University

- M.S. in Operations Management, University of Arkansas

- Master of Theology and Doctorate of Theology , Missionary Baptist Seminary

- Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Political Experience:

- Arkansas State Senate, District 2

- Camden City Council