State of Arkansas Archives: on Civil Rights
Bruce Westerman:
Opposes affirmative action
Q: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?A: Yes.
Q: Should Arkansas allow same-sex couples to form civil unions?
A: No.
Q: Do you support state funding for stem cell research?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for embryonic stem cell research?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the state's use of affirmative action?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
Q: Do you support eliminating the state lottery?
A: Yes.
Source: Arkansas State Legislative 2010 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2011
Asa Hutchinson:
Marriage should be only one-man-one-woman
The gubernatorial candidates discussed the same-sex marriage movement, answering the question what good and not so good has come from it:Hutchinson: Supports marriage between one man and one woman. Still unanswered questions from SCOTUS.
Gilbert: State has a right to stay out of the marriage business. I believe it should. If people wish to be married they should be.
Ross: Personally opposed to gay marriage but issue will be resolved by SCOTUS.
Source: Arkansas Matters blog on 2014 AR gubernatorial race
Jul 11, 2014
Asa Hutchinson:
Government shouldn't redefine marriage
Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Hutchinson: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Arkansas Governor campaign
Sep 28, 2014
Asa Hutchinson:
Forced moderate version of business "religious freedom" bill
Hutchinson had to grapple with a religious freedom measure that blew up shortly after a similar bill in Indiana through fire for potentially enabling businesses to refuse to serve gays and lesbians.
As in Indiana, disapproval from the business community was critical in forestalling the measure; in Arkansas the key opposition came from Wal-Mart, and
Hutchinson's son Seth attracted notice for signing a petition urging the governor to cast a veto. Hutchinson rejected the first version he received from lawmakers, ordering up changes to the most controversial provisions.
The legislature complied, and Hutchinson signed the revised measure.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Oct 5, 2015
Blanche Lambert Lincoln:
Oppose amending the federal constitution to ban gay marriage
LINCOLN: “Domestic laws have always been dealt with by our states,” Lincoln said, noting that the 1996
Defense of Marriage Act denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and offers states the right to refuse to recognize them. “Amending the federal constitution ... should only be as a last resort,” Lincoln said.
HOLT: Holt said marriage is one of the fundamental pillars of society and he fears that a judge might rule Arkansas’ law unconstitutional.
He also said he opposes activist judges, such as those who have ruled in favor of gay marriage. Without a federal amendment defining marriage, Holt said, “our country will fall.”
Source: AR Senate Debate in Arkansas News Bureau
Oct 29, 2004
Blanche Lambert Lincoln:
Defer to military decision on Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell
The candidates were asked whether they supported a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans openly gay troops. Lincoln, who was one of just two Democrats to join Republicans in a vote to block a recent repeal attempt, said
the policy should be eliminated if that's what the military's top commanders recommend. "I think it is important to listen to the military, to ensure that the military confirms that there is going to be no detriment to troop strength, to morale, to
efficiency and effectiveness of our troops," if the ban is lifted, Lincoln said.Boozman said the policy should remain in place. "I think the current policy has worked well," he said. "We haven't had significant
problems with it." This week, a federal judge in California issued an injunction that stops the military from enforcing the policy. An appeal is likely.
Source: Boston Globe coverage of 2010 Arkansas Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Bruce Westerman:
No civil unions; no same-sex marriage
Q: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?A: Yes.
Q: Should Arkansas allow same-sex couples to form civil unions?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
Q: Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws?
A: No.
Source: Arkansas Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Chris Jones:
Protect medical options for transgender healthcare
Arkansas's law would limit access to certain aspects of transgender healthcare--like gender affirming surgery. Reflecting on his conversations with members of the transgender community, Chris Jones said that he will aim to protect those medical
options. "Certainly whatever changes are necessary to ensure that people feel safe and feel like they can be a part of the broader Arkansas community is what I would not only support, but make any necessary changes to ensure that that happens," he said.
Source: KTHV TV-11 on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 23, 2022
Conner Eldridge:
Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
Conner Eldridge criticized Senator John Boozman on voting against the Violence Against Women Act and its reauthorization. Today marks three years since the Violence Against Women Act was last reauthorized by Congress in 2013.
Conner Eldridge says, "Today marks three years since Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)--landmark legislation that is helping Arkansas fight the scourge of violence against women, particularly domestic violence.
As a prosecutor, I've seen VAWA make a difference in the lives of women and girls by ensuring an aggressive response to domestic violence and human trafficking, providing assistance to victims, and
working to enhance efforts to prevent and prosecute these horrible crimes. Senator John Boozman voted not once, but twice against the Violence Against Women Act, ignoring the voices and values of Arkansans."
Source: 2016 AR Senate campaign website ConnerForArkansas.com
Mar 7, 2016
Conner Eldridge:
OpEd: Dems embrace same-sex marriage; Eldridge is reluctant
Eldridge is not going to run as a real Democrat, but as the same old tired and failed finesser. - He rails against Obama's historic multinational agreement with Iran that threatens to make the world safer.
-
He fails to embrace the increasingly successful Affordable Care Act and says only that it is a distraction to keep arguing about repealing it because we need to change it instead.
- He says he is opposed to abortion.
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He declines to embrace same-sex marriage except to say the legally plain truth that it's the law of the land and we may as well deal with it.
-
Arkansas Democrats will assail me for dismissing their chances and undercutting the vital two-party system. But actually I favor a vital two-party system.
Source: Democrat-Gazette on 2016 Arkansas Senate race
Sep 15, 2015
Curtis Coleman:
Protect right to free practice of our faith
1st Amendment and Religious Liberty: I believe in protecting ALL of the rights outlined in the 1st Amendment, including the right to free practice of our faith.
10th Amendment and Federalism: I believe the principles of the 10th Amendment must be restored--any power not granted to the Federal Government is a power reserved for the States or the People.
Source: 2016 Arkansas Senate campaign website, CurtisColeman.com
Nov 11, 2015
Curtis Coleman:
Marriage is the union of one man and one woman
I believe that marriage, as instituted and defined by God, is the union of one man and one woman.
I will co-sponsor and support a federal marriage amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Source: Arkansas 2010 Senate campaign website, CurtisColeman.com
Nov 1, 2010
Dan Whitfield:
No discrimination for sexual orientation or identity
No one should ever be discriminated against for their sexual orientation or identity. It is unconstitutional to prevent a same sex couple from receiving the same tax benefits as any other American couple. I also support same sex couples adopting
children. As a cable guy I have been in thousands of peoples' homes. I have met so many wonderful people including same sex couples. Being a good parent has nothing to do with sexual orientation or identity.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Dec 6, 2020
Dan Whitfield:
Solving systemic racism will improve life for Americans
Once we begin to move forward towards solving the systematic racism in our society, we will see improvements in the quality of life for Americans. Violence is not the answer. The answer is to empathize and understand why so many marginalized
Americans are hurting, and then to enact legislation that can begin to heal these most deep wounds that have been festering for hundreds of years within our society.
Source: Arkansas Money & Politics on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jun 8, 2020
Frank Gilbert:
State should stay out of the marriage business
The gubernatorial candidates discussed the same-sex marriage movement, answering the question what good and not so good has come from it:Hutchinson: Supports marriage between one man and one woman. Still unanswered questions from SCOTUS.
Gilbert: State has a right to stay out of the marriage business. I believe it should. If people wish to be married they should be.
Ross: Personally opposed to gay marriage but issue will be resolved by SCOTUS.
Source: Arkansas Matters blog on 2014 AR gubernatorial race
Jul 11, 2014
Jared Henderson:
Supports LGBT citizens but not for across the board revamps
Gay rights? "I unambiguously support civil rights for LGBT citizens." But does that mean pushing to override existing discrimination in state law or to add protections to the state civil rights statute? "Where we need to go further to see real equity
we need to do it." But he indicated that first there needs to be evidence of a problem in need of correction. Then, he said, "should we need to stand up and be counted, I'm not afraid to do it."
Source: Arkansas Times on 2018 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Dec 22, 2017
Jim Holt:
Amend the federal constitution to ban gay marriage
LINCOLN: "Domestic laws have always been dealt with by our states," Lincoln said, noting that the 1996
Defense of Marriage Act denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and offers states the right to refuse to recognize them. "Amending the federal constitution ... should only be as a last resort," Lincoln said.
HOLT: Holt said marriage is one of the fundamental pillars of society and he fears that a judge might rule Arkansas' law unconstitutional.
He also said he opposes activist judges, such as those who have ruled in favor of gay marriage. Without a federal amendment defining marriage, Holt said, "our country will fall."
Source: [Xref Lincoln] AR Senate Debate in Arkansas News Bureau
Oct 29, 2004
John Boozman:
Keep Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell; the policy has worked well
The candidates were asked whether they supported a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans openly gay troops. Lincoln, who was one of just two Democrats to join Republicans in a vote to block a recent repeal attempt, said
the policy should be eliminated if that's what the military's top commanders recommend. "I think it is important to listen to the military, to ensure that the military confirms that there is going to be no detriment to troop strength, to morale, to
efficiency and effectiveness of our troops," if the ban is lifted, Lincoln said.Boozman said the policy should remain in place. "I think the current policy has worked well," he said. "We haven't had significant
problems with it." This week, a federal judge in California issued an injunction that stops the military from enforcing the policy. An appeal is likely.
Source: Boston Globe coverage of 2010 Arkansas Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Leslie Rutledge:
Supports election fraud lawsuit filed by Texas
Arkansans and Americans across the country have real concerns about the lack of integrity in our federal elections this year," said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. "After reviewing the motion filed by Texas in the U.S. Supreme Court,
I have determined that I will support the motion by the State of Texas in all legally appropriate manners. The integrity of our elections is a critical part of our nation and it must be upheld.
Source: 5-News CBS on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Dec 8, 2020
Leslie Rutledge:
Ban transgender girls in sports to ensure equity
Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill banning transgender girls in sports into law. Earlier this year, Rutledge championed similar legislation, The GIRLS Act: Gender Integrity Reinforcement Legislation for Sports will allow
Rutledge and her office to address systematic issues using legal avenues. "This action was necessary to ensure equity in girls sports throughout the State and for the next generation of girls, like my two and a half year old daughter," said Rutledge.
Source: 2021 Arkansas Governor campaign website LeslieRutledge.com
Mar 26, 2021
Leslie Rutledge:
Teaching critical race theory violates Civil Rights Act
Rutledge called the teaching a "neo-Marxist ideology that distorts and rewrites history." The attorney general also said that the teaching of critical race theory is discrimination that violates Title VI and the Arkansas Constitution. "The classroom
isn't a place to promote extremist political ideologies and preach discrimination. When schools allow the classification of children based on race, they violate both state and federal law."
Source: THV11 on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 16, 2021
Mark West:
No authority over relationships between same-sex adults
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: Government has no authority over relationships between consenting adults and therefore has no authority over licensing marriage, only in accepting contracts between consenting adults.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Mike Ross:
Personally opposes gay marriage, but abide by Supreme Court
The gubernatorial candidates discussed the same-sex marriage movement, answering the question what good and not so good has come from it:Hutchinson: Supports marriage between one man and one woman. Still unanswered questions from SCOTUS.
Gilbert: State has a right to stay out of the marriage business. I believe it should. If people wish to be married they should be.
Ross: Personally opposed to gay marriage but issue will be resolved by SCOTUS.
Source: Arkansas Matters blog on 2014 AR gubernatorial race
Jul 11, 2014
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
It's a lie that America is a racist and evil country
[On teaching CRT]: "Our public schools should never indoctrinate our kids with the lie that America is a racist and evil country.
Critical Race Theory pushes a radical left agenda that will further tear us apart, not bring us together."
Source: Arkansas Times on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 18, 2021
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Supports prohibition of transgender treatment for minors
Lawmakers prohibited hormone treatments, puberty blockers and transition-related surgeries for transgender minors. Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill only to see it overridden by Republican supermajorities. In a text message, Sanders voiced support
for the bill he vetoed. "I believe in limited government, but there is a role for us to protect those who can't protect themselves, especially children, which is why this law is important and I support it," she wrote.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Apr 9, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023