AG Rutledge has big lead in Lt. Governor’s field, but race still open to runoff

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

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge leads a crowded field of contenders for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor, according to new survey results from Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College.

In the latest survey, conducted on May 2, 2022, Rutledge tops 40% with State Sen. Jason Rapert her closest competitor at 11%. Roughly 25% of GOP voters remain undecided in the race.

Among 802 likely Republican primary voters, the results were:

Lt. Governor
40% – AG Leslie Rutledge
4% – Doyle Webb
11% – Sen. Jason Rapert
8.5% – Greg Bledsoe
4.5% – Chris Bequette
7% – Judge Joseph Wood
25% – Undecided

The winner of the GOP primary faces Democrat Kelly Krout and Libertarian Frank Gilbert.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/05/ag-rutledge-has-big-lead-in-lt-governors-field-but-race-still-open-to-runoff/

Baptist Minister Becomes 4th Democrat To Enter Arkansas Governor’s Race

By GEORGE JARED/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Dr. Anthony Bland fell short in his 2018 attempt to win the lieutenant governor’s race in Arkansas, but that did not deter the Democrat from Little Rock from setting his sights on the state’s top job.

Bland, 43, told Talk Business & Politics he intends to seek the Democratic nomination for governor during the 2022 election cycle. He formally launched his campaign Wednesday in Hot Springs.

Bland is a graduate of J.A. Fair High School and Arkansas Baptist College. He has master’s degree in business administration and doctorate in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He is completing a master’s degree in theological studies from Regent University.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/baptist-minister-becomes-4th-democrat-enter-arkansas-governor-s-race

Anthony Bland formally announced his candidacy for governor of Arkansas Wednesday in Hot Springs.

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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/

Former GOP Chair Doyle Webb Jumps in Lieutenant Governor’s Race

Former Arkansas GOP chairman Doyle Webb announced Tuesday (May 4) he will enter the race for Lt. Governor in 2022.

Webb, a former state senator from Benton, previously worked in the Lt. Governor’s office during Win Rockefeller’s term in office.

Webb was chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas from 2008-2020, a period of time that saw Republicans become the majority party in the state. Earlier this year, he was named by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to assist with the legislative redistricting through the Board of Apportionment. Webb said he resigned that position last week.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/former-gop-chair-doyle-webb-jumps-in-lt-governors-race/

Trump Endorses Tim Griffin for Arkansas Attorney General

by Roby Brock

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Lt. Governor Tim Griffin in his bid for Arkansas Attorney General.

Trump issued the following statement on Friday (March 5), saying Griffin was his choice in the 2022 race.

“Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, who is running for Attorney General, is a highly respected Army Veteran who will always fight for the great people of Arkansas. Tim will be tough on Crime, defend our Second Amendment, loves our Military and our Vets, and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the brave Men and Women of Law Enforcement. Tim Griffin has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/trump-endorses-tim-griffin-in-ag-bid/

Arkansas Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe Running for Lieutenant Governor

by Roby Brock

Arkansas Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe announced Thursday (Feb. 4) that he will seek the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor in 2022.

He has served as the state’s surgeon general since 2015 when he was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Bledsoe has been one of the governor’s chief advisors through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bledsoe is an emergency room physician and earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After a residency at UAMS, he spent five years on the faculty in the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-surgeon-general-greg-bledsoe-running-for-lt-governor/