.jpg)
"Everyone at Oberlin was convinced that [Sen.] Tom Harkin would be the nominee, but I wasn't," she said about the Iowa Democrat.
Hatta's work for Clinton began when she started Oberlin Students for Clinton, a job that earned her a spot driving the press van during one of Clinton's stops in the area. Her activism eventually landed her at Clinton's Little Rock headquarters, giving her a chance to learn Arkansas politics.
After working on several other political campaigns — including Clinton's 1996 campaign — Hatta returned to the state in 2003 to assist Gen. Wesley Clark's 2004 race for the White House.
"I was just so amazed with all the development that had happened between '92 and 2004," she said about the state.
She has worked in Arkansas politics in one capacity or another ever since, including Gov. Mike Beebe's 2006 successful run for the governorship. With Beebe's help, she got a job with the Democratic Party, and in July, she took over as executive director.
When she's not politicking, Hatta is involved in the Women's Foundation of Arkansas and City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock.
