Charlene Fite
Charlene Fite | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
| In office January 9, 2023 – January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Cozart |
| Succeeded by | Brad Hall |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 80th district | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Collins-Smith |
| Succeeded by | Denise Jones Ennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 (age 75–76) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Tom Fite |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | University of Tennessee University of Arkansas Taipei Language Institute |
| Profession | Psychology specialist |
Charlene Fite (born 1950) is an American politician and former Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Fite was born in Alma, Arkansas. She has a B.S. in deaf education from the University of Tennessee in 2000, an M.S.Ed. in special education from the University of Arkansas, and attended the Taipei Language Institute.[2]
Career
[edit]Fife is a retired school psychology specialist. She was first elected to the House in 2012 and was re-elected through 2024, when she declined to seek re-election.[3] Her last campaign focused on economic growth; she favors less government regulation to help economic development.[4] She is chairperson of the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee; and, vice-chair of ALC-Hospital and Medicaid Subcommittee.[5] Fite has served on the Board of Court Appointed Special Advocates in Crawford County, the Board of Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, and the Board for Bost Development Centers.[1]
In November 2025, Fite filed to challenge her successor Brad Hall in the Republican primary, alongside Melissa Koller. Hall withdrew days after the filing deadline.[6]
Personal
[edit]She lives in Van Buren, Arkansas,[5] and is married to Tom Fite, with six children and seven grandchildren.[2] While in language school in Taiwan, she appeared twice on Chinese language television.[7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Charlene Fite - Arkansas House of Representatives". www.arkansashouse.org. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- 1 2 "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ↑ Wickline, Michael R. (November 13, 2025). "Hall drops House reelection campaign after divorce battle aired". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Vol. 11, no. 317. pp. 1A, 3A. ISSN 1060-4332. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ DMM, Adam Roberts. "Charlene Fite wins Arkansas House race". KHBS. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- 1 2 "Representative Charlene Fite (R) - Arkansas State Legislature". www.arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ↑ Wickline, Michael R. (November 13, 2025). "Hall drops House reelection campaign after divorce battle aired". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Vol. 11, no. 317. pp. 1A, 3A. ISSN 1060-4332. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Charlene Fite". AY Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- University of Tennessee alumni
- People from Alma, Arkansas
- University of Arkansas alumni
- Educators of the deaf
- People from Van Buren, Arkansas
- Living people
- 1950 births
- Republican Party members of the Arkansas House of Representatives
- 21st-century members of the Arkansas General Assembly
- 21st-century American women politicians