Meet Rona: Artist, Activist, and Justice of the Peace Candidate

I’m Rona Bellinger, and I’m running for Justice of the Peace in Garland County’s District 5 because I believe our community deserves leadership rooted in real-life experience, compassion, and common sense.

I grew up in Malvern, Arkansas, where I graduated from high school before attending Henderson State University. I earned a degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design, a foundation that shaped both my career and my approach to problem-solving — creative, thoughtful, and people-centered.

After college, I moved to Little Rock, where I worked for more than 30 years as a graphic designer, primarily in healthcare communications. My work focused on improving health outcomes for seniors and Medicaid beneficiaries, through state and federal government contracts. That experience taught me how policy, communication, and funding decisions directly affect people’s lives — especially those who are most vulnerable.

In addition to my professional career, I became a small business owner in Bismarck, Arkansas, where I built and operated three rental cabins and a ten-space RV park on 18 acres next to DeGray Lake State Park. For seven years, I ran that business while also working full-time. I know firsthand what it means to build something from the ground up, manage budgets, maintain property, serve customers, and keep things running — all while working as part of a larger team in a corporate environment.

Today, I am mostly retired and spend much of my time caring for my aging father, who faces multiple health challenges. I also care for our rescue pets, and in my free time I enjoy gardening, thrifting, creating art, and helping those who are struggling — especially individuals affected by addiction.

I am deeply passionate about seniors, animals, and preserving our environment. These values guide how I live my life and how I approach public service. I am also very involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hot Springs, where values of compassion, service, and inclusion are central to our work in the community. Beginning in June 2026, I will be serving as Membership Chair, helping welcome new members and strengthen connections within our congregation.

While I am not a lifelong resident of Garland County, Hot Springs has been part of my life for more than 35 years. I visited often, and during my college years I even worked at one of the downtown art galleries. For the past two years, I have proudly called Hot Springs and Garland County home, and I am committed to helping our community move forward.

I bring a fresh, independent perspective — not tied to the “good-old-boy” system — and a strong belief that our county can thrive economically and environmentally when leadership is transparent, inclusive, and focused on solutions.

I’m running because I care deeply about people, place, and possibility — and because I believe Garland County deserves leadership that listens, works hard, and puts the community first.