Republican

CD4 debate: Healthcare, economy, Middle East conflicts discussed

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, and his opponent Democrat Risie Howard of Pine Bluff agreed on some key issues but were diametrically opposed on others during their Fourth Congressional district, PBS Arkansas debate on Thursday (Oct. 10).

If elected, Howard said she would support and protect the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. About one in three Arkansans are on Medicaid and it was expanded through the act. If the act were repealed, something that former President Donald Trump has suggested if he’s re-elected, many would be without health insurance, she said.

Westerman said he wouldn’t vote to repeal the act, but the Medicaid expansion is driving up federal and state debts. He supports the Fair Care Act, legislation that fixes some of the problems with the act, but he didn’t give any specifics.

CD4 debate: Healthcare, economy, Middle East conflicts discussed

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Westerman faces Democratic attorney challenger

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

In Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Bruce Westerman is running again to maintain control of the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Westerman’s Democratic challenger is Risie Howard. Little Rock Public Radio emailed her and the state Democratic Party several times about an interview, and was sent a list of the same questions asked of Westerman. We received no response.

Howard is set to be at the Arkansas PBS debate with Westerman on October 10.

Howard is a lawyer in Pine Bluff, and is listed as being employed by the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Her website says she is a former science teacher and that she knows a lot about naval law, but she doesn't seem to have much of a campaign or online presence.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Westerman faces Democratic attorney challenger

Challenger Risie Howard / U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman

Democrat challenges incumbent in Northwest Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District

KUAR | By Matthew Moore

For decades, beginning in 1874, Arkansas was a one-party state. And that party was the Democratic party. Governor, state assembly, land commissioner, U.S. Senate… nearly every elected official in the state was a Democrat.

“There’s one exception in the state of Arkansas, beginning in the 1960s.”

That’s John C. Davis, the executive director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History and the author of From Blue to Red: the rise of the GOP in Arkansas.

Democrat challenges incumbent in Northwest Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District

U.S. Congressman Steve Womack/Challenger Caitlin Draper

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Presidential strategy, Trump and abortion

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson officially filed paperwork to run for U.S. President in his home state Friday (Nov. 10).

He shared his thoughts on his long shot candidacy, GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump, and the issue of abortion, which played out in several state elections on Tuesday on this week’s edition of Capitol View and Talk Business & Politics.

Hutchinson said he’s asked regularly why he remains in the race for the Republican nomination for President despite his low polling numbers and inability to qualify for some debates.

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Presidential strategy, Trump and abortion

Sarah Huckabee Sanders will give the Republican response to the State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) will deliver the Republican Address to the Nation from Little Rock, Arkansas following the State of the Union address next Tuesday, February 7th:
  
Speaker McCarthy said: “Americans are still struggling from inflation, a border crisis, record crime, and a failing school system. As House Republicans work to fix these problems in Congress with our Commitment to America, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is addressing them head on with her conservative agenda outside of Washington. The youngest governor in America, Sarah is fighting on behalf of parents, small businesses, and ordinary taxpayers. She is bringing new ideas for a changing future, while also applying the wisdom of the past, including from the leadership of her father, Mike. She is a servant-leader of true determination and conviction. I’m thrilled Sarah will share her extraordinary story and bold vision for a better America on Tuesday. Everyone, including President Biden, should listen carefully.” 
 
Leader McConnell said: “While President Biden keeps repeating old mistakes and failing Americans, a rising generation of Republican Governors are fighting for families, advancing new solutions, and winning. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the youngest Governor in the nation and a powerful advocate for the popular, commonsense conservative principles that will put our country back on a better course. The American people deserve better than Democrats’ runaway inflation, surging crime, open borders, and failing schools. I am excited for the nation to hear from Governor Sanders on Tuesday and witness a sharp contrast with this exhausted and failing Administration.”
 
Governor Sanders said: “I am grateful for this opportunity to address the nation and contrast the GOP’s optimistic vision for the future against the failures of President Biden and the Democrats. We are ready to begin a new chapter in the story of America – to be written by a new generation of leaders ready to defend our freedom against the radical left and expand access to quality education, jobs, and opportunity for all.” 
 
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the 47th Governor of Arkansas. Inaugurated on January 10, 2023, she is the first woman to serve as governor of the state and is currently the youngest governor in the country. Prior to her historic victory, Sarah served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. A trusted confidant of the President, she advised him on everything from press and communications strategy to personnel and policy. Sarah was only the third woman – and the very first mom – to ever hold the job of White House Press Secretary. Sarah grew up in Pine Bluff and Texarkana and is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High and Ouachita Baptist University. She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Bryan, their children Scarlett, Huck, and George, and their golden retriever, Traveler.

Will Newton/AP

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks after taking the oath of the office on the steps of the Arkansas Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark.

Arkansas governor-elect Sanders announces transition team

KUAR | By Talk Business & Politics Staff

Attorney Kevin Crass will lead the transition team for Governor-elect Sarah Sanders, she announced in a statement on Thursday.

Crass is a senior partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP in Little Rock. He will serve as executive director of the transition, which includes nine other staff members.

“Kevin Crass has been a trusted friend and accomplished attorney for many years, and I am pleased to announce that he has agreed to serve as the Executive Director of the transition,” Sanders said. “Kevin brings significant knowledge and relationships to this role, and I have complete confidence in his abilities to help me be ready to assume the role of governor on day one and begin taking our state to the top. Kevin will also be assisted in this important work by several individuals who were a part of our historic victory on election night and who bring their own incredible experiences and expertise. There is a lot of work to do and a short time to do it, but this team will get it done.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-11-10/arkansas-governor-elect-sanders-announces-transition-team

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders submitting paperwork on Feb. 22, 2022 to run for governor of Arkansas.

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/

Sen. Cotton Talks Foreign Policy, D.C. Statehood, Supreme Court Expansion and His Political Future

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Still coy on running for President in 2024, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., offered a wide range of opinions in an interview Sunday (April 25) on foreign and domestic policy issues and the 2022 and 2024 election cycle.

Cotton, the state’s junior senator, was re-elected to a six-year term in November 2020. He was active on the campaign trail for fellow Republicans in 2020 and expects to travel broadly to support GOP candidates in 2022. He’s still not willing to discuss speculation that he may be a Presidential candidate in 2024.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/sen-cotton-talks-foreign-policy-d-c-statehood-supreme-court-expansion-and-his-political-future/

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