Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Electioneering is prohibited 100 feet from the door of every voting center in Arkansas and this includes wearing campaign shirts, hats, or any other apparel with images or words that advocate for or against a candidate.

Arkansas law defines electioneering as the “display of, or audible dissemination of, information that advocates for or against any candidate, issue, or measure on a ballot.

It includes distributing campaign literature or literature regarding a candidate, issue or measure on the ballot; soliciting signatures on any petition; soliciting contributions; displaying a candidates name, likeness or logo; displaying a ballot measure’s number, title, subject or logo; displaying or dissemination of buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs or stickers containing electioneering information; and disseminating audible electioneering information.

Law prohibits the wearing of political-advocacy apparel in voting centers

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.

Retired Army colonel faces Republican incumbent in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District race

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

The race to represent Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District is the contest between the current congressman and the former Army officer, the incumbent and the hopeful.

Democrat Col. Marcus Jones and incumbent Republican Congressman French Hill are vying for a seat representing Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives. The two will face off in a debate held by Arkansas PBS Monday.

On one hand, Rep. French Hill has been serving Arkansas from Washington, D.C. since 2015.

Retired Army colonel faces Republican incumbent in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District race

Courtesy Photo

Republican Congressman French Hill (left) is competing against Democratic candidate Marcus Jones (right).

Congressional candidate Jones forming veterans group, names Hollingsworth first campaign chair

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Marcus Jones, the retired U.S. Army colonel running as a Democrat to replace U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, said he would support veterans in Congress and announced he was creating a Veterans for Marcus group.

Jones made the announcement at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History March 28. He also announced that Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth would be his first named campaign chair. The campaign plans to name others later.

Jones said there are 45,000 veterans in the 2nd District, which he said means there are more than 100,000 military-associated voters when their families are taken into account.

Congressional candidate Jones forming veterans group, names Hollingsworth first campaign chair

Gov. Hutchinson receiving encouragement for Presidential run, discusses Sanders’ transition

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

After last week’s historic midterm elections and with former President Donald Trump expected to declare he will make another run for President, term-limited Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he is still contemplating a run for the 2024 GOP nomination.

On Thursday in an interview following his budget presentation to state lawmakers, Hutchinson said he’s receiving a lot of encouragement to make a bid for President.

“Well, it’s on the table, it’s under consideration and it’s premature to make a decision. But I’ve had an incredible amount of encouragement. I tell folks that I’ve actually had more encouragement from people of Arkansas to run for president than I had when I ran for Governor. And so that’s how I compared it a little bit,” Hutchinson said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/11/gov-hutchinson-receiving-encouragement-for-presidential-run-discusses-sanders-transition/

Conservative talk show host floats GOP gubernatorial challenge to Sarah Huckabee Sanders

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Doc Washburn, a radio personality who until last year hosted a radio show on KARN 102.9, is floating his name as a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor.

On his podcast Feb. 9, Washburn said he would run for governor if he could raise the $15,000 required for the Republican Party’s filing fee by the filing deadline at noon March 1. He said he was a third of the way there after only a few days.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/02/conservative-talk-show-host-floats-gop-gubernatorial-challenge-to-sarah-huckabee-sanders/

State Representative Lowery exits Secretary of State’s race, will seek Treasurer’s post

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

State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said Friday (Jan. 21) he would leave the Secretary of State’s race and would instead seek the Republican nomination for Treasurer of State.

Sen. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, has already announced for the Treasurer’s seat. No Democrats have announced yet.

Lowery has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives since 2013. He is the chair of the House Insurance & Commerce Committee.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/rep-lowery-exits-secretary-of-states-race-will-seek-treasurers-post/

Arkansas Poll Finds Healthcare, Economy Biggest Concerns for Voters

The 22nd annual Arkansas Poll reports voters are most concerned about healthcare and the economy amid the pandemic. Politics was a top issue for more than 20 percent of respondents for the first time in the history of the poll.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-poll-finds-healthcare-economy-biggest-concerns-voters

Arkansas Poll Finds Healthcare, Economy Biggest Concerns for Voters

The 22nd annual Arkansas Poll reports voters are most concerned about healthcare and the economy amid the pandemic. Politics was a top issue for more than 20 percent of respondents for the first time in the history of the poll.

Election Officials Report Record Poll Worker Numbers Despite COVID-19

As county election commissions prepared for an unusual election day this summer, many veteran poll workers, who are older and more at risk for complications from the coronavirus, decided not to return in 2020. Now, less than a month away from Nov. 3, officials have seen a record response from people wanting to be poll workers and volunteers. 

https://www.kuaf.com/post/election-officials-report-record-poll-worker-numbers-despite-covid-19

Election Officials Report Record Poll Worker Numbers Despite COVID-19

As county election commissions prepared for an unusual election day this summer, many veteran poll workers, who are older and more at risk for complications from the coronavirus, decided not to return in 2020. Now, less than a month away from Nov. 3, officials have seen a record response from people wanting to be poll workers and volunteers.