Fred Love is running for Governor because he knows first hand what it means to struggle and to overcome. From major surgery at age three, to a childhood season of homelessness, to nearly flunking out of college, Fred’s life has been marked by challenges. But each time, faith, hard work, community, and education carried him forward.
He’s running to ensure those values shape Arkansas’s future — not just for a few, but for every child, every family, every community. Fred believes government must measure success by the lives improved, not the headlines made.
That is why he’s running: to put people first, to lead with integrity, and to ensure that no Arkansan is left behind.
Faith has always been Fred Love’s foundation. Raised in St. Paul United Methodist Church, he learned early that faith is not just what you believe, but how you live. His mother, Sandra, gave him a motto that still guides him today: “Be in service to mankind.” Fred carries his own reminder with him as well: “You’re blessed to be a blessing.”
For Fred, faith means showing up for others. It means giving back when you have abundance and standing with neighbors when they’re in need.It is reflected in his marriage to ShaRhonda, in raising their two children, and in his service to Arkansas. Fred believes people themselves are walking blessings — called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
Fred’s work ethic was shaped on his grandparents’ farm. His grandfather, Isaiah Norwood, a brick mason and one of the first African Americans in the community to own land, taught him responsibility and pride in hard labor. His grandmother reinforced the lesson that generosity must accompany work. Her saying — “If you keep putting out, God will keep blessing”— reminded Fred that hard work and service go hand in hand.
As a boy, he rose early to feed chickens, tend cows, and work the garden. Though classmates teased him for being “country,” Fred learned lessons that never left him: rise early, do your work, and carry your responsibilities with pride.
Fred’s grandparents also taught him that community is family. They fed neighbors, checked on friends, and opened their home to anyone in need. Fred saw firsthand that when everyone in a community is cared for, the whole community thrives.
He believes this spirit of community is too often missing in modern society, and he is determined to bring it back. For Fred, true community means compassion, accountability, and fellowship — treating your neighbor as you would your own family.
Fred knows education is the great equalizer. As a child who faced setbacks, teachers and mentors stepped in to hold him accountable and push him to rise higher. Educators like Joyce Elliott opened doors for him, helping him realize his potential and setting him on the path to leadership.
As the first in his family to attend college, Fred nearly flunked out before rediscovering his purpose through political science and public service. With hard work, help from his grandmother, and a job at McDonald’s, he persevered. Fred and his wife ShaRhonda instill the same lesson in their children today: education is an inheritance that no one can take away.
Fred’s platform is built on the values that shaped his life: faith, hard work, community, and education. From childhood struggles with surgery, homelessness, and hardship to serving as a State Senator delivering results, Fred has lived the challenges Arkansas families face. His vision is simple: measure success not by headlines, but by lives improved.
Fred Love is running for Governor to create an Arkansas where every child can learn, every family can thrive, and every community has the tools to grow.
Fred knows what it means to grow up with little, and he believes no child’s future should be determined by their zip code. From the Delta to the Ozarks, he will invest in small businesses, workforce training, and infrastructure so communities don’t just survive — they thrive. His plan includes:
- Building regional economic hubs
- Rebuilding water, sewer, broadband, and road infrastructure
- Expanding entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and small business support
- Providing summer youth employment tied to career-readiness certificates
- Establishing an Affordable Housing Taskforce at ADFA
Fred’s story proves the power of education. Teachers and mentors pushed him to rise higher, and now he’s committed to ensuring every child gets the same chance. His plan:
- Invest in reading specialists and reinforce literacy programs so every child reads on grade level
- Guarantee every district has adequate literacy support
- Expand mental health and teletherapy services, especially in rural areas
- Reject voucher schemes that siphon resources from classrooms
- Support teachers with fair pay, resources, and respect
- Expand adult literacy programs to open doors for working families
Fred believes safety is about more than punishment — it’s about second chances. He will:
- Stop construction of a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County
- Reform prisons to prioritize rehabilitation
- Provide trade programs for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism
- Ensure adequate staffing to protect corrections employees
Fred believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Every Arkansan deserves affordable, quality care no matter where they live. His plan will:
- Protect Medicaid
- Expand mental health services statewide, especially in rural communities
- Grow telehealth services to deliver real-time care across the state
- Ensure healthcare dollars improve outcomes, not bureaucracy
- Launch a statewide Mental Health App and Hotline
