Funding a veterans memorial
His answer was a penny drive. "It Just Makes Cents" turned spare change from all over the county into a veterans memorial.
★ Republican ★
Tom
Tom
Wilkins
For Justice of the Peace
District 2
Garland County Quorum Court · Hot Springs, Arkansas
- People
- Community
- Integrity
- Results
Proven Leadership.
Common Sense.
A Voice That Listens.
Good people deserve good representation.
Why Tom is running
Hot Springs gave Tom a home. He has spent 40 years giving back.
★
Tom Wilkins came to Hot Springs from a small Wisconsin river town and never left. He built a theatre on Central Avenue and put on more than 5,500 shows. He helped create the Arkansas Walk of Fame, Spa Blast and the city's Christmas lights. He helped raise several hundred thousand dollars so Garland County's veterans would have the memorial they deserve. And he brought the legendary Vapors back to life.
None of that happened because Tom held an office. It happened because he listened to his neighbors, found the people who could help and didn't quit until the job was done. That's exactly the work of a Justice of the Peace.
Now Tom is asking District 2 to let him bring that same energy, common sense and follow-through to the Garland County Quorum Court.
A Stronger Tomorrow, Together.
A voice that listens
Too many people feel like nobody's listening. Tom is.
Ask around District 2 and you'll hear it. People feel like decisions get made without them and their calls go nowhere. Tom has spent his life in front of audiences, and the first thing a good showman learns is to read the room and listen. When he hears a problem, he doesn't reach for the usual answer. He thinks outside the box.
Getting visitors to stop downtown
His answer was to put Arkansas' legends in the sidewalk. The Walk of Fame has drawn visitors to Central Avenue since 1996.
A landmark sitting dark
His answer was to bring it back. Tom led the restoration of the Vapors and reopened a piece of Hot Springs history.
A Fourth of July worth the drive
His answer was fireworks at the racetrack. Spa Blast at Oaklawn became Arkansas' largest family fireworks celebration.
Listen first. Then find a better way. That's what Tom will bring to the Quorum Court.
The job
What does a Justice of the Peace actually do?
In Arkansas, Justices of the Peace aren't judges. They're the 13 elected members of the Quorum Court, the county's legislative body. It's where Garland County's money, roads and priorities get decided.
Approves county spending
JPs sit with the County Judge to adopt the annual budget and make appropriations for every county office and service.
Sets county tax levies
The Quorum Court levies county taxes, so every JP vote touches your household budget directly.
Passes county ordinances
Ordinances govern county property and services: roads, bridges, buildings and the things taxpayers own together.
Represents District 2
District 2 covers central and east Hot Springs. Your JP is your direct line to county government.
Experience that fits the job
What Tom will bring to the Quorum Court
Tom's résumé isn't a list of titles. It's a record of getting real things done for Hot Springs, and each part of it lines up with the work of a JP.
01
Every tax dollar treated like it was raised a penny at a time
Tom has run a business in Hot Springs for more than three decades and has met a payroll. He knows the difference between a need and a want. On the Quorum Court he'll read the budget line by line, ask the hard questions and protect the taxpayers of District 2.
The proofHis "It Just Makes Cents" campaign helped raise several hundred thousand dollars for the Veterans Memorial of Garland County, one donation at a time.
02
A strong downtown and a thriving tourism economy
District 2 includes the heart of Hot Springs, where visitors, small businesses and local jobs all come together. Tom has spent his career bringing people downtown and keeping them coming back. He'll be a voice for the merchants, workers and neighborhoods that depend on a healthy Spa City.
The proofSecond president of the Downtown Merchants Association after the 1986–87 reconstruction, when downtown's revitalization began. Tourism Person of the Year. Led the restoration and 2020 reopening of the Vapors. Creator of the city's Christmas Lighting Program.
03
Steady leadership when trouble comes
On May 19, 1990, floodwaters swept through downtown during a sold-out show. Tom organized the rescue of hundreds of people from his theatre. He understands what emergency preparedness, first responders and a well-run county mean when it matters most.
The proofHonored by the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce for the 1990 flood rescue. He also coordinated more than 1,100 blood drives across four counties and served on the American Red Cross board.
04
Standing with veterans and the families who serve
Garland County is proud of its veterans, and so is Tom. He has been their advocate for nearly 20 years. On the Quorum Court he will make sure the people who served are never an afterthought in county priorities.
The proofChairman and co-founder, with Dick Antoine, of the Veterans Memorial of Garland County. Raised $70,000 in one night for the Fallen Hero Memorial's Adam Brown statue. Emcee of 22 Veterans Day parades. Lifetime Achievement Award for Patriotism.
05
A county that takes care of its own
From seniors facing Alzheimer's to kids learning to read, Tom has spent years working alongside the organizations that fill the gaps. He'll bring that same heart and practical sense to how the county serves families.
The proofBoard member of the Literacy Council and the American Red Cross. Volunteer with Samaritan Ministries, the Alzheimer's Association, the MS Society and the Hot Springs Boys Club.
06
Bringing people together to get it done
Tom has spent his life putting the right people on the same stage for a good cause. The Quorum Court works best when members listen, find common ground and keep the focus on the people they serve.
The proofHonored by two Arkansas governors, Mike Huckabee and Mike Beebe, and recognized by the Arkansas House of Representatives. He has worked with national entertainers, local churches and civic groups alike.
Yes, he can juggle
Tom has kept a lot of plates spinning
★
County government means juggling roads, budgets, public safety and a hundred constituent calls at once. Tom has been doing the Hot Springs version of that for 40 years, and he hasn't dropped a plate yet.
- Theatre owner & producer
- Restorer of the Vapors
- Walk of Fame co-founder
- Veterans Memorial chairman
- Spa Blast co-creator
- Blood drive coordinator
- Parade emcee on live TV
- Church leader & licensed minister
- Media company owner
- Toastmasters leader
- Red Cross & Literacy Council boards
Tom's promise to District 2
A voice that listens, and then acts
Good representation isn't complicated. It means showing up, doing your homework and remembering who you work for.
- Show up preparedTom will attend every Quorum Court meeting having read the budget and the ordinances.
- Pick up the phoneHis number is on this page. Call it. Tom will listen.
- Explain every voteHe'll tell District 2 how he voted and why, in plain English.
- Put Hot Springs firstTom will work for District 2 families, not insiders.
40+years serving Hot Springs
22Veterans Day parades emceed
1,100+blood drives organized
Keyto the City of Hot Springs
2025Arkansas Walk of Fame inductee
Make your voice heard
Vote Tom Wilkins for JP, District 2
Every vote counts in a local race. Here's what you need to know.
Registration deadline
Mon., Oct. 5
Last day to register to vote in the November 3 general election.
Early voting
Oct. 19 – Nov. 2
Weekdays 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ends 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Polls are open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Check your registration & polling place Garland County Election Commission
Join the team
Help Tom win District 2
Local races are won neighbor to neighbor. A yard sign, a conversation or an hour of your time makes a real difference.
Request a yard sign
Show your support where your neighbors will see it. We'll bring it to you.
Request a signHost a meet & greet
Invite a few neighbors over and Tom will come listen to what matters to you.
Invite TomSpread the word
Share this page with friends and neighbors in District 2.
Talk to Tom directly
Questions, ideas or concerns about District 2? Tom wants to hear them.
501-622-9570 Tom4JP@tomwilkins.us
Want to know more about Tom's life in Hot Springs? Read his full story →
