Republican Party of Arkansas facing internal lawsuit

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A lawsuit has been filed stemming from the Republican Party of Arkansas’ decision to hold closed primaries. 

At a biennial convention in June, the party voted to close their primaries. This would mean that only registered Republicans could vote in primary elections. Hypothetically, having closed primaries could make winning candidates more conservative, as they would be chosen by a voter pool of people only within their own party.

The suit is being brought by state Republican Convention Chair Jennifer Lancaster. The lawsuit says the Arkansas GOP’s internal rules give them the power to make this change. Weeks after the vote, party chairman Joseph Wood nullified the decision claiming the party violated their own rules in making the decision. The disagreement represents a current disagreement in the party over ideology and rule implementation.

Republican Party of Arkansas facing internal lawsuit

Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio

The suit is asking for the primaries in Arkansas to be closed after the state Republican Party voted to close them this year.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson reiterates position on former President Trump in debate

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Last week, the Republican party allowed candidates to present themselves to a national audience and address criticism from their opponents, during a two hour debate that was hosted by Fox News. One of the candidates who was on the stage was former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

During the debate, Hutchinson stood out from the rest of the candidates when he was the only candidate not to raise his hand when asked if he would support former president and current frontrunner for the nomination Donald Trump.

In an interview with Arkansas PBS, Hutchinson said he believes the Republican party needs to move on from Trump if the party is to stay competitive in presidential elections.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-08-27/former-arkansas-gov-asa-hutchinson-reiterates-position-on-former-president-trump-in-debate

Arkansas PBS' Facebook

During a panel hosted by Arkansas PBS' Arkansas Week, political experts explain why former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson performance at the Republican presidential debate. Hutchinson received the least amount of speaking time amongst the eight candidates that were at the debate.

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/

Sen. Hendren, Four Ex-Legislators Sign on to New ‘Call for American Renewal’

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Sen. Jim Hendren, I-Gravette, and four former Arkansas state legislators are founding signatories of “A Call for American Renewal,” a movement that says it is “pushing for the Republican Party to rededicate itself to founding ideals—or else hasten the creation of an alternative.”

Hendren was joined by former Speaker of the House Davy Carter and former Rep. David Meeks, both Republicans, former Rep. Nate Bell, who served as a Republican from Mena before becoming an independent in his final term, and former Sen. Bruce Maloch, a conservative Democrat from Magnolia who was defeated in his bid for re-election last November.

The group’s website says that “forces of conspiracy, division, and despotism” have arisen, and it calls for a “rebirth of the American cause.” It seeks political reforms and ethical government. It calls for American leadership in promoting freedom by example and with “the judicious application of power.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/sen-hendren-four-ex-legislators-sign-on-to-new-call-for-american-renewal/