Three candidates compete in special treasurer election

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

In November, Arkansans will have the opportunity to choose between three candidates for state treasurer.

The treasurer's office describes itself as being the “state's banker.” Similar to how most of us have bank accounts, government agencies across Arkansas have accounts with the treasurer's office. The office manages the deposits, withdrawals and money distributions.

They pride themselves on trying to “maximize returns” by collecting interest. The treasurer's office boasts that they manage about $9 billion dollars.

The last person elected to the post was former state Rep. Mark Lowery, but Lowery died in July of last year at age 66. He had been suffering from health problems before his death including two strokes the same year he died. He announced his retirement the day before his death.

Three candidates compete in special treasurer election

Democrat John Pagan (Left), Republican Secretary of State John Thurston (Middle), Libertarian Michael Pakko (Right).

Two candidates challenge Crawford in 1st Congressional District

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District has a unique group of candidates vying to represent east Arkansas in Congress.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Rick Crawford is running against a Democrat and a Libertarian. Little Rock Public Radio was in talks with Crawford’s office for weeks to do an interview that ultimately never materialized. The station sent him the same list of questions we asked the other two candidates.

Crawford has been in his job since 2011. He is a Tea Party conservative, who believes in smaller government, minimal spending and stronger borders. He also serves as chairman of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee.

His two opponents are Rodney Govens, the Democrat, and Steve Parsons, the Libertarian.

Two candidates challenge Crawford in 1st Congressional District

Incumbent Republican Congressman Rick Crawford (left), Libertarian Steve Parsons (middle), Democrat Rodney Govens (right).

CD2 debate: Hill, Jones oppose nationwide abortion ban

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, and his Democratic opponent, retired Army Col. Marcus Jones, both expressed opposition to a nationwide abortion ban in their 2nd Congressional debate Monday (Oct. 7) on Arkansas PBS.

Hill said the U.S. Supreme Court has sent the issue back to the states.

“I would never vote for a nationwide ban for abortion,” he said. “I don’t know that there’s any support on either side of the aisle in significant ways for that proposal.”

Hill said his views on abortion have always provided for exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the woman’s life is in danger. He said he has voted against allowing late-term abortions nationally.

CD2 debate: Hill, Jones oppose nationwide abortion ban

Second District debate. Photo courtesy of Arkansas PBS.

Arkansas PBS schedules four Congressional debates in October

Arkansas PBS has scheduled four U.S. Congressional debates that will air daily starting Oct. 7. The debates will livestream at myarpbs.org/elections and air live on Arkansas PBS daily Oct. 7-10. Debates will also be rebroadcast during primetime beginning Oct. 7.

The following candidates have committed to participating in Arkansas PBS’s debates:

• U.S. Congressional District 1 – Incumbent Rick Crawford (R), Rodney Govens (D) and Steve Parsons (L). The debate will livestream and air Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m. and repeat at 7 p.m.

• U.S. Congressional District 2 – Incumbent French Hill (R) and Marcus Jones (D). The debate will livestream and air Monday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. and repeat at 7 p.m.

• U.S. Congressional District 3 – Caitlin Draper (D), Bobby Wilson (L) and incumbent Steve Womack (R). The debate will livestream and air Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. and repeat Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.

• U.S. Congressional District 4 – Risie Howard (D) and incumbent Bruce Westerman (R). The debate will livestream and air Thursday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. and repeat at 7 p.m.

Arkansas PBS schedules four Congressional debates in October

University of Arkansas chancellor search narrowed to two finalists

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

The search for the next University of Arkansas chancellor is down to two candidates, but names of the two finalists are not being released, according to a statement issued Friday (Oct. 14) by the University of Arkansas System.

UA System President Dr. Donald Bobbitt announced Sept. 2 that four finalists for the top job at the state’s flagship university. The finalists were: Charles Robinson, Ph.D., interim chancellor, University of Arkansas; Jay Akridge, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Purdue University; Daniel Reed, Ph.D., presidential professor of computational science, University of Utah; and Cynthia Young, Ph.D., founding dean of the College of Sciences, Clemson University.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/university-of-arkansas-chancellor-search-narrowed-to-two-finalists/

Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas.

State third party election law declared unconstitutional, appeal being mulled

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

A district judge has ruled that Arkansas’ 56 Libertarian Party candidates qualified for this year’s ballot, but the state could still appeal for future elections, and if it does, the incoming Senate president pro tempore expects it to win.

In an 83-page decision, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker ruled Sept. 30 that an Arkansas law passed in 2019 violated the Libertarian Party of Arkansas’ 1st and 14th Amendment rights. The case was Libertarian Party of Arkansas v. John Thurston, who is secretary of state.

Act 164 of 2019 increased the required number of valid signatures “new” parties must collect from 10,000 to 3% of the total number of votes in the previous governor’s race. For this election cycle, the Libertarians would have had to submit 26,746 valid signatures, which is more than they did.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/state-third-party-election-law-declared-unconstitutional-appeal-being-mulled/