Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor has died; hailed as ‘dedicated’ public servant, ‘true statesman’

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

David Pryor, a key Arkansas political figure for more than five decades from the governor’s office to the halls of Congress, died Saturday (April 20). He was 89.

A U.S. Senator, congressman and governor, Pryor, former President Bill Clinton, and former U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers were once considered the “Big Three” of modern Arkansas politics.

Pryor is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, David H. Jr., Mark, and Scott; and four grandchildren, David H. III, Adams, Porter, and Devon.

Pryor, the former editor and publisher of the Ouachita Citizen in Camden, Ark., began his political career in the Arkansas House of Representatives where he served three terms between 1961 and 1966 before representing the Fourth District in the U.S. Congress. He was elected Arkansas governor in 1974 and reelected in 1976 before winning the 1978 race for U.S. Senate.

Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor has died; hailed as ‘dedicated’ public servant, ‘true statesman’

Poll: State Supreme Court race flying under the radar

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansans will decide a state Supreme Court race this November, but the latest Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll suggests 6 in 10 voters may not know for whom they will vote.

In this last round of polling, the survey of 974 likely Arkansas voters found incumbent Supreme Court Associate Justice Robin Wynne with 28% support to Judge Chris Carnahan’s 13% support. 59% of voters are undecided as early voting begins. Respondents were asked:

Q: Thinking about the upcoming non-partisan judicial race for Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 2, if the election were held today, which of the candidates would you vote for?

28%  Supreme Court Associate Justice Robin Wynne
13%  Judge Chris Carnahan
59%  Undecided

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/poll-state-supreme-court-race-flying-under-the-radar/

Washington County Judge Joseph Wood Joins Lt. Governor’s Race

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Washington County Judge Joseph Wood announced Monday (May 17) he would be a Republican candidate for Arkansas Lt. Governor. Wood is serving his second term as county judge.

“I’m running for Lt. Governor because there are big issues facing our state and my record of cutting government waste, recruiting new businesses, and standing for conservative values are needed for a better Arkansas,” said Wood. “I will bring to the office real–world experience from working with major corporations in the private sector to being a small business owner and fighting for our shared pursuit of life and liberty in the state.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/washington-county-judge-joseph-wood-joins-lt-governors-race/

Gov. Hutchinson to Form Outside Political Group to Shape National GOP Policy, Candidates in 2022

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson may not have formally committed to a 2024 Presidential run, but he’s raising his profile to be a national voice in the 2022 cycle.

Hutchinson said Sunday (April 18) in an exclusive Talk Business & Politics interview that beyond taking the reins as chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA) this summer, he plans to start a political action effort for education advocacy and to raise money for GOP candidates across the U.S. in the 2022 elections.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/gov-hutchinson-to-form-outside-political-group-to-shape-national-gop-policy-candidates-in-2022/

Bill Eliminating Early Voting On The Day Before An Election Again Fails In Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would eliminate early voting in Arkansas on the Monday before an Election Day has failed in a Senate committee for a second time.

During a voice vote Tuesday, members of the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee did not have enough yes votes to advance Senate Bill 485. It would eliminate all early voting in Arkansas on the day before both a preferential primary or general election day.

Four members of the public spoke against the bill, including Joshua Price, an election commissioner with the Pulaski County Election Commission. He addressed claims brought up in the prior hearing on the bill suggesting that poll workers needed a day off before Election Day in order to prepare.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-eliminating-early-voting-day-election-again-fails-committee

Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, again presents Senate Bill 485, to the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE

Democratic Party of Arkansas Again Lowers Filing Fees

By ANTOINETTE GRAJEDA

Arkansas Democrats are reducing filing fees for candidates for the third time since 2017. A spokesman for the Republican Party of Arkansas says the organization has no plans to follow suit. Arkansas has some of the most expensive filing fees in the country.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/democratic-party-arkansas-again-lowers-filing-fees