Arkansas Legislative Races: A Few Things
Just rounding up a few things that have come across The Arkansas Project threshold the last few days:
Republican Kelly Eichler and Democrat John Edwards are fighting it out for the open seat in Little Rock’s District 38, in a race that’s been dubbed “too competitive to call” over at Under the Dome. A correspondent sends along a sample mail piece, one of several, that Eichler has sent out to voters in the district, reproduced here:
I would say “Click images for larger view,” but the larger versions aren’t displaying. I’ll fiddle with them a bit more, but if I don’t fix them, they’re about education. She’s for it.
Also happening in Pulaski County: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette endorses Republican challenger Phil Wyrick over longtime incumbent Buddy Villines in the closely watched race for Pulaski County Judge. (Subscription required to read the whole thing.) Yes, I know this isn’t a “legislative” race, but I’m sticking it here nonetheless. Quoth the editorialist:
Phil Wyrick sounds like just what Pulaski County has needed for some time-someone you could trust to balance budgets, hire competent help, keep the lights on, and finally, finally, finally provide the law-abiding public in Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County with the kind of well-run jail that’s long been needed. At last, a local official who might put public safety first instead of concentrating on tourist attractions, study committees, multiple excuses and other diversions from the basic business of local government.
In other races: In District 87, GOP Rep. Mark Martin is in a tight race with Earl Hunton, son of Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton, to hold his seat. Scott F. Davis at the Northwest Arkansas Times, my journalistic alma mater, sizes up the race here.
But wait, there’s more from Northwest Arkansas: Davis also has a look at the District 89 race between incumbent Democrat Jim House and GOP challenge Gene Long.
And in District 50 over in White County (open seat), Republican Kyle Reeves has to run not only against Democrat Monty Betts, but also the Searcy Daily Citizen newspaper. Reeves better up that radio ad buy.
We’ll have another legislative poll later today.
Didn’t realize Gene Long had somehow morphed into Gilbert Baker. Just goes to prove what an idiot doughboy Scott Davis is.
In Davis’s defense: That could be a copy editing error. The NWA Times copy editing when I was there sometimes, uh, left a bit to be desired. I’m not sure if it was just in the online version or also in the print version. Ah, life in small town paper…
D.
David,
Perhaps you can explain to me how the Benton County Daily Record can endorse Barak Obama and still not lose so many subscribers that they go out of business? Are Republicans so weak-willed and push overs that they would continue to support their abusers?
Are we overcome with Stockholm Syndrome? Will we continue purchasing that paper and advertising in it’s pages? I won’t.
It’s a hell of a question, Hill, and one you should put to the Benton County Daily Record editorial board.
D.
Just looked into that race with House and Long. I didn’t know much about either candidate. After a few phone calls, I learned the truth. I don’t believe I have ever seen something so blatantly, and yes, dishonestly biased. Copy edit error? Bull! The headline says, “District 89 race is battle of fiscal conservatives.” From what I have learned about House today, if he is a fiscal conservative, then Nancy Pelosi is as well. Scott F. Davis (does the “F” stand for what I think?) should at least attempt to appear journalistically objective or start a blog.