LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Sam Dubke will serve as her new Communications Director. Dubke previously served as Sanders’ Deputy Communications Director and Speechwriter.

“Sam is an efficient and effective communicator who has been alongside me since I first entered office,” said Governor Sanders. “He brings political and public sector experience and, in his new role, he’ll lead a talented team and continue to help me communicate my bold, conservative agenda to Arkansans across the state.”

Sam Dubke Biography:

Sam Dubke joined the Governor’s staff as Deputy Communications Director and Speechwriter in February of 2023. Previously, Dubke worked as a speechwriter for Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and on the communications teams for the Youngkin for Governor and Trump 2020 campaigns. Dubke is a Georgetown University graduate.

LITTLE ROCK – Shealyn Sowers, an executive producer at KARK and FOX16, will be the new director of communications for the Governor’s Office, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today. She will start June 16.

“Shealyn grew up in Arkansas, went to high school and college in Arkansas, and has worked her entire career as a journalist in Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “To put it simply, Shealyn knows the Natural State. She has an intimate understanding of Arkansas and Arkansans that has prepared her well to serve the state as my director of communications.”

Ms. Sowers grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ouachita Baptist University and a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Ms. Sowers started as an associate producer at KARK in 2012 and worked her way up to produce every newscast. In 2019, she was promoted to executive producer and producer of KARK’s political show “Capitol View.” She won an Emmy for Best Newscast and an Edward R. Murrow award for the station’s coverage of the 2014 tornado that struck Mayflower and Vilonia. She also won an Emmy for Best Producer in 2018.

“I am excited to join Governor Hutchinson's staff as director of communications,” Ms. Sowers said. “I’ve enjoyed delivering local news to Arkansans at KARK and FOX16 for the past nine years. I am thrilled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve my home state in this new role and to work alongside the incredible team in Governor Hutchinson's office.”

Sanders Announces Sam Dubke as Communications Director

Governor Appoints TV News Veteran As Communications Director