Molly Rawn
Molly Rawn | |
|---|---|
| 52nd Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Lioneld Jordan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Molly Collier January 17, 1982 Paragould, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jeremy Rawn |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Arkansas (BA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Molly Rawn (née Collier; born January 17, 1982) is an American business executive and politician who has been serving as the 52nd Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, since January 1, 2025.
Early life and education
Molly Collier was born on January 17, 1982, in Paragould, Arkansas. As a child, Rawn said she "didn't always fit in," and "would stay inside during recess to read." She attended Pulaski Academy before moving to Fayetteville in 2005 to attend the University of Arkansas, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008.[1][2]
Career
Early in her career, Rawn was the director of development of the Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter. Later, she became the assistant director of development at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the KUAF membership director. She then served as the director of development and communications at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville.[3] In 2015, she was named in the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's Forty Under 40 list. In 2016, Rawn was appointed executive director of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission and served as the CEO of its tourism marketing organization, Experience Fayetteville, until her election as mayor.[4]
Rawn, a Democrat, challenged incumbent Lioneld Jordan in the 2024 Fayetteville mayoral election, a nonpartisan election. She stated a focus on housing, climate resilience and economic development.[2] In the general election, Jordan received 16,609 votes to Rawn's 13,068, while two other candidates received a total of 5,718 votes. A runoff election between Jordan and Rawn was held on December 3, in which Rawn won with 51.14% of the vote to Jordan's 48.86%.[5]
Rawn is scheduled to emcee the 2025 Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show, a political comedy fundraiser for scholarships awarded by the Society of Professional Journalists.[6]
Personal life
Rawn describes herself as an "avid reader".[2] She is married to Jeremy Rawn. She has three children: Collier, Miller and Opal.[2][7]
Rawn is an Episcopalian.[2]
Electoral history
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Lioneld Jordan (incumbent) | 16,609 | 46.92% | |
| Nonpartisan | Molly Rawn | 13,068 | 36.92% | |
| Nonpartisan | Tom Terminella | 4,386 | 12.39% | |
| Nonpartisan | Adam Fire Cat | 1,332 | 3.76% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Molly Rawn | 5,411 | 51.24% | |
| Nonpartisan | Lioneld Jordan (incumbent) | 5,149 | 48.76% | |
References
- ^ Newton, Will (2025). "Meet Mayor Molly Rawn". Fayetteville City Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ a b c d e "Molly Rawn (Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, candidate 2024)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ "Molly Rawn named executive director for Fayetteville A&P". Talk Business & Politics. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ Gill, Todd (2016-07-08). "Fayetteville A&P Commission hires Molly Rawn as new executive director". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ Della Rosa, Jeff (2024-12-04). "Molly Rawn wins runoff for Fayetteville mayor". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ "Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn to Host 2025 Gridiron Show". NWA Gridiron Show. 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ^ Ryburn, Stacy (2025-01-02). "Mayor Molly Rawn sworn in; supporters gather to celebrate". Fayetteville Flyer. Retrieved 2025-08-23.