Bryant  businesswoman, Jill Dabbs is challenging Mayor Larry Mitchell in his re-election bid. Dabbs announced her candidacy on Tuesday.
She is the chief operating manager of her family-owned business, Back and Body Chiropractic in Bryant. If elected, Dabbs said she would bring “an innovative style of leadership” to Bryant. She said she is “very excited about running for mayor.”

“I love this community and have enjoyed being part of it for the past 10 years,” she said. “I’m looking forward to serving in a different capacity, and I think we can make a lot of positive changes in Bryant.”

Dabbs said her top priorities would include “practicing fiscal responsibility, engaging the public in city government and implementing fair business practices that benefit the private sector of our community.”

She said she wants to create “an-open-door working relationship” with city organizations to promote economic growth and help businesses flourish.

“I am a visionary leader who will take a hands-on approach to managing the spectacular growth of this city,” she said. “As chief executive of Bryant, I will prioritize economic development, focusing on sustaining what we have and actively looking toward the future.”

If she wins the mayor’s seat, Dabbs said she will immediately address flood problems associated with the Bryant Watershed. “Progress must be made in correcting Bryant’s flooding issues, and I will work responsibly and directly with city leaders to develop reasonable solutions.”
She says she also wants to “modernize” the mayor’s office by expanding the website, utilizing social media and developing an online checkbook to allow Bryant residents to track where tax dollars are being spent.

“I want to create an honest and open dialogue with our community, engaging people in city government and involving our youth, which is the future of our city.” Dabbs said she plans to be “engaged in the growth that’ taking place” in Bryant. “I love this city and want our government to work efficiently and effectively for this community.”

Dabbs is married to Dr. Allan M. Dabbs and they have two children, Emily, 16, and Reagan, 10. She serves as president of the Bryant Barracudas Swim Team and is a board member for the Racers Swim Club, a USA age-level team. She is also a founding member of the People for Parks Committee, which was instrumental in the development of Bishop park. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.