Dave Wallace (Arkansas politician)

David Ray Wallace, known as Dave Wallace (born November 24, 1948), is a businessman from Leachville, Arkansas and current Republican member of the Arkansas State Senate for District 22 in Mississippi, Poinsett, and Craighead counties in the northeastern portion of his state. He previously served as a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 54 in Mississippi and Poinsett counties.

Background
Wallace was born in Monette, the son of R. D. and Faye Wallace. He graduated in 1966 from Leachville High School and has resided in Leachville his entire life, except while serving in the United States Army.

Wallace studied physical education at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army in 1970. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Wallace received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, an Air Medal for valor, three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, and three Vietnam Cross of Gallantry awards. During his twenty-one years of active duty service, Wallace served in the 101st Airborne Division, the First Cavalry Division, and the First Infantry Division, as well as the 17th Aviation Group. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Embry-Riddle University in 1977.

Wallace saw combat as a cavalry platoon leader in Vietnam and subsequently served assignments as a company and battalion commander. Wallace is an inductee of the Arkansas Military Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas State University Hall of Heroes.

Wallace is employed with Wallace Resource Systems in the field of disaster recovery in various parts of the United States, including flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Wallace and his wife, Karen Lee Wallace (born c. 1947), have two children. He is a Southern Baptist.

Political life
Wallace served three terms on the Leachville City Council. On May 20, 2014, he was unopposed in the Republican primary election for House District 54. He then unseated the one-term Democrat Wes Wagner of Manila in Mississippi County, 4,133 votes (56.2 percent) to 3,227 (43.8 percent) in the November 4 general election in which his party swept most of the offices in Arkansas.

Representative Wallace was assigned to the House committees on: (1) Joint Performance Review, (2) Aging, Children and Youth Legislative and Military Affairs, and (3) Public Transportation.

In 2016, Wallace was unopposed in the Republican primary election for Senate District 22. He then unseated long-time incumbent Democrat David Burnett of Osceola in Mississippi County, 14,315 (62 percent) to 8,790 (38 percent) in the November 8 general election.