State of Arkansas Archives: on Principles & Values
Anthony Bland:
We need policies that make sure everybody is treated fair
The American dream for too many Arkansans right now is too far out of reach. I am running for the Democrat nomination for Governor because I believe, as a Democrat, our communities need a voice that will represent unity, equality, and justice.
What we need are policies that make sure that everybody is treated fair, and we need to create jobs right here in Arkansas from the Ozarks to the delta. We need to create opportunities in our state that will keep families here.
Source: 2021 Arkansas Governor campaign site AnthonyBlandForAR.com
May 23, 2021
Anthony Bland:
Make the American dream a reality for all Arkansans
I was raised to believe that you're supposed to love your neighbor. You know, my pastor preached that every Sunday. Now, the democracy that our ancestors fought so hard to make a reality is on a destructive path. Our state government has lost sight of
the public good. We owe it to ourselves; we owe it to our communities; we owe it to our state to do our part to restore and make the American dream a reality for every and all Arkansans.
Source: 2021 Arkansas Governor campaign site AnthonyBlandForAR.com
May 23, 2021
Asa Hutchinson:
When the election is over we need to come together
We witnessed a violent mob assault our nation's Capitol. They attacked the foundations of our democracy. A presidential election often divides the country along political and cultural lines. And I understand the passion. It is okay to be passionate.
But we must not let passion cloud our common sense and our commitment to our state and nation. And when the election is over, then we need to come together, united to strengthen our democracy and heal our land.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Asa Hutchinson:
Parents operated a Christian radio station and school
Asa Hutchinson grew up on a farm with his brother Tim who later became a senator. Their parents also operated a Christian radio station in school.
After graduating from Bob Jones University, Asa Hutchinson attended the University of Arkansas law school at the same time that Bill Clinton started teaching there.
He became US attorney in western Arkansas and prosecuted Clinton's half brother, Roger, for cocaine possession.Hutchinson easily won election as Governor in 1996 to succeed his brother, who moved to the Senate.
He combined a conservative voting record with a pleasant demeanor to become an important player in a short time.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Oct 5, 2015
Blanche Lambert Lincoln:
Some say I'm too liberal; some say I'm too conservative
Lincoln said, "I'm the most independent voice in Washington these days, quite frankly," she said. "Some people say I'm too liberal and others say I'm too conservative. The fact is, I'm in the middle; I'm working hard; I'm out there working to make a
difference."Boozman repeatedly highlighted Lincoln's role as a pivotal vote in the passage of Obama's health-care law. "Sen. Lincoln is very proud of being the deciding vote of Obamacare. I want to be the deciding vote to repeal it," Boozman said.
Source: Boston Globe coverage of 2010 Arkansas Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Chris Jones:
Raised with strong faith, no conflict with love for science
As a son of two preachers, I was raised with a strong sense of faith. This faith has never collided with my love for science -- in fact, it only made it grow stronger. I attended Morehouse College on a NASA Scholarship, for physics and math, then
studied at MIT to become a nuclear engineer and earn a Ph.D. in urban planning. I was blessed to run the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, which provided the tools and technology Arkansans needed to build businesses and create jobs.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com
May 26, 2022
Chris Jones:
Politics does not have to be divisive and destructive
Chris Jones is here to prove that politics does not have to be divisive and destructive, and that as a candidate he can call for accountability while uniting Arkansas.
We solve our problems by bringing people together, to find what works, to move us all forward.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com
May 26, 2022
Chris Jones:
We are all neighbors; we have to be there for each other
[On his family of origin]: "I remember being on food stamps," he said. "I remember hand me down clothes with patches on them.""I remember how my folks, even when we were struggling, helped other people and so that embedded in me a sense of - we are
all neighbors - we have to be there for each other. It doesn't matter what you party is. It doesn't matter what your background is. We need each other. That's what you're going to hear from us," Jones added.
Source: KATV ABC-7 on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
May 16, 2022
Frank Gilbert:
Christian Libertarian & believes in Non-Aggression Principle
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.Gilbert: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only path for me to attain forgiveness and thus salvation. I do not know what path others may have to follow to attain such blessings.
Q: Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which political philosophy best describes you?
Gilbert: I am a libertarian, reflected in my membership in the Libertarian Party.
As a libertarian I believe in the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP). That means that every individual has the right to live his or her life in any way they choose, so long as they don't initiate force or practice fraud.
The government has no authority to restrict individuals' actions if they are not practicing aggression. This leads to political positions that appear conservative in matters of economics and liberal in matters of individual rights and privacy.
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on 2016 Arkansas Senate race
Nov 8, 2016
Jake Bequette:
I'm a God-fearing Christian conservative
"Now more than ever we have to stand up and fight for what we believe," he added. "I'm a God-fearing Christian conservative who is 100% pro-life, and pro-police, and I will never apologize for being against illegal immigration. Like you,
I'm sick and tired of the media lying, China getting away with murder, and politicians who only stand up for President Trump when they stand to benefit."
Source: KUAR-FM on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 12, 2021
Jake Bequette:
Upset to see athletes disrespect flag and our great country
Bequette said that track and field star Gwen Berry's decision to turn her back on the U.S. flag and the Biden administration's subsequent support was "very upsetting" to witness. Bequette concluded, "It makes me very upset to see some athletes and even
President Biden blatantly disrespecting our flag and the great country that flag stands for. So if Gwen Berry wants to you know, if she hates this country so much. Then she should quit the U.S. Olympic team and go compete somewhere else."
Source: FOX News on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jun 29, 2021
Jake Bequette:
Calls himself Razorback; U of Arkansas asks him to stop
The University of Arkansas has asked Jake Bequette to stop calling himself a "Razorback." Bequette was a Razorback, a member of the Arkansas football team. The cut line for his campaign ads is "Jake Bequette. Patriot. Veteran. Razorback.""We have
asked the campaign to modify its ads related to the unauthorized use of the Razorback trademark for political purposes," a University of Arkansas spokesman said.
Bequette's campaign said "he will continue to proudly call himself a Razorback."
Source: Insider Higher Ed blog on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 19, 2021
Jake Bequette:
Voters looking for someone unapologetically pro-American
[On values]: "I see this run as the continuation of my service. I love this country," Bequette said. "I think there are millions of Arkansans and people around the country who are just saying 'enough is enough.' They're sick of the insanity.
And they're looking for anyone who is willing to stand up and fight and be unafraid, be unapologetically pro-American, conservative and fight for the traditional values that made this country. Those are the values that I believe in."
Source: Daily Wire on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 12, 2021
John Boozman:
Arkansas can't afford Blanche Lincoln anymore
Republican Senate hopeful John Boozman said Arkansas "can't afford" Blanche Lincoln anymore, while the Democratic incumbent accused Boozman of putting politics above the state's needs as the two debated on
Friday for the first time in their election matchup.Boozman and Lincoln sparred over Social Security, taxes and earmarks during the debate. "Sen. Lincoln is a good friend and I admire her, yet we can't afford her anymore,"
Boozman, a congressman representing northwest Arkansas, said.
Lincoln criticized Boozman for supporting House
Republicans' moratorium on earmarks and said that his opposition to money for local projects is harming his congressional district. "The fact is he signed with his party above his state and his district," Lincoln said.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Arkansas Senate debate
Sep 10, 2010
Leslie Rutledge:
Require public schools to play anthem before sporting events
Flanked by Republican legislators on the Capitol steps, she proposed bills requiring public schools to play "The Star-Spangled Banner"
before sporting events, and requiring a moment of silence after the "Pledge of Allegiance" is recited.
Source: Southwest Times-Record on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Mar 24, 2021
Leslie Rutledge:
Time for Christian conservative leaders to unite and fight
Since announcing my candidacy for governor, I have been blessed by an outpouring of support from Arkansans in every community.
At this crossroads in our country's history, now is a time for Christian conservative leaders to unite and fight together against those who wish to destroy the America we know and love.
Source: Arkansas Times on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Nov 9, 2021
Mark Pryor:
AdWatch: I believe in God and I believe in His word
Pryor launched a new political ad, in which he doesn't talk about political issues or his opponent; he just talks about the Bible:"I'm not ashamed to say that I believe in God and I believe in His word. The Bible teaches us no one has all the answers.
Only God does. And neither political party is always right. This is my compass, my north star. It gives me comfort and guidance to do what's best for Arkansas. I'm Mark Pryor, and I approve this message because this is who I am and what I believe."
The
centrality of faith in Pryor's life is well-known. But the ad was slammed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who mockingly suggested the ad contradicted comments Pryor had made last year: "The Bible is really not a rule book for political
issues. Everybody can see it differently."
The ad has drawn a mixed response from progressive commentators, especially Pryor's "I'm not ashamed" line, suggesting it is a dog-whistle for those who believe that Christianity is under attack in America.
Source: Huffington Post AdWatch on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
Dec 11, 2013
Mark Pryor:
Campaign theme: Pryor is responsible, Cotton is reckless
A Pryor campaign memorandum passed is summarized below. It is, of course, partisan, but it's loaded with plenty of worthy specifics:- THEME: Pryor is responsible, Cotton is reckless (see votes on the farm bill, Medicare, Social Security, student
loans, disaster aid, domestic violence legislation)
- AMBITION: Too much of it in a candidate is not a good thing. See who owns Cotton, particularly the $300,000 bundled from the Club for Growth.
He's so hungry, he appeared to have solicited funds on a radio interview from the Capitol, a no-no. He skipped a day of work to raise money in Texas.
- WHO'S MORE OF AN ARKIE? Pryor will concede Cotton's fine resume, including voluntary military
service. But what kind of Arkie would blow up the farm bill, despite pleas from every farm group?
- SUMMARY: The race will be close. Pryor will win with his Arkansas First theme against a "reckless" and "irresponsible" candidate.
Source: Arkansas Times AdWatch on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
Jan 1, 2014
Mark Pryor:
AdWatch: I believe in God; and only God has all the answers
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) is hitting back at Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in a new ad for questioning his faith. The spot, first shared with The Hill, is aimed at touting Pryor's religious conviction in the heavily religious state--and undercutting months of
work Cotton's campaign has put in to bolster his own image with positive ads.Cotton said last week that Pryor thinks "faith is something that only happens at 11 o'clock on Sunday mornings" in response to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision over the
health care law's contraception mandate. Pryor demanded an apology, but none was forthcoming, and the controversial comments got plenty of local attention.
Pryor's new ad features local news coverage the kerfuffle, interspliced with the Bible
verse, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
"I'm not ashamed to say that I believe in God, and I believe in His word. The Bible teaches us no one has all the answers, only God does," Pryor says in the ad. "This is who I am and what I believe."
Source: The Hill AdWatch on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 8, 2014
Mark West:
No religious viewpoint should be publicly imposed
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: No religious viewpoint should be publicly imposed using government force, nor should religious viewpoints be prevented using government force.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Ricky Dale Harrington:
Converted from Blue-Dog Democrat; married with three kids
Harrington, a father of three, is the LPA's first African-American candidate. The party first began contesting elections in Arkansas in 2012.He was a member of the White County Democratic
Party, though he called himself a "blue dog" or conservative Democrat. He spent two years doing Church of Christ missionary work in China with his Chinese-born wife, Emily, whom he met while they were students at Harding University.
He taught in universities and did health care consulting in China. He was there during the 2016 campaign and was dismayed watching the condition of American politics from afar.
Harrington also was inspired to run because of his displeasure over Act 164's higher threshold requirements to qualify for the ballot.
Source: TalkBusiness.net on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Oct 27, 2019
Ricky Dale Harrington:
Libertarian for those unhappy with Democrats AND Republicans
The Libertarian Party of Arkansas nominated Harrington, Jr., 34, of Pine Bluff, to run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Tom Cotton. If you have supported Democrats or Republicans in the past and are unhappy with the way things
are going in our country's government you now have another choice. Bad or worse are no longer the only choices in the election. There is an alternative. The Libertarian Party.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website RDH4Senate.com
Dec 14, 2019
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
I took on media, radical left and cancel culture
On her role in the Trump administration: "I took on the media, the radical left and their cancel culture, and
I won," the former press secretary said. "As governor, I will be your voice and never let them silence you."
Source: The Hill e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Jan 26, 2021
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Everything we love about America is at stake
Announcement of candidacy: "Everything we love about America is at stake, and with the radical left now in control of Washington, your governor is your last line of defense,"
Sanders said. "In fact, your governor must be on the front line. So today, I announce my candidacy for governor of Arkansas and ask for your prayers and your support."
Source: Politico.com e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Jan 25, 2021
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
I'm a Christian, a wife, a mom, and a proud Arkansan
I'm a Christian, a wife, a mom, a proud Arkansan. My opponents will do everything in their power to destroy me, but
I will not apologize for who I am or who I'm fighting for. I'm fighting for you. I will not retreat. I will not surrender. And I will not bow down to the radical left. Not now, not ever.
Source: Rev.com e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Nov 12, 2020
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Sanders is Christian, conservative, a proud Arkansan
[Endorsement from the former Vice President]: "Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a Christian, a conservative, and a proud Arkansan who will fight for the people of Arkansas, stand with law enforcement, promote lower taxes, champion school choice, and more,"
Mike Pence said. "Sarah will be a great Governor and has my full support," he added.
Source: New York Post on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Apr 6, 2021
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
You bet I'm nationalizing my governor's race
[On the Arkansas governorship]: "I keep hearing, 'Oh there's the Sarah Sanders, she's nationalizing the race.' And my answer to those people, you bet I am. Because if you are not, you are missing what is happening in our country," Sanders said. "We
have people in Washington, in leadership, the radical left that are not OK just changing policy. They want to fundamentally change who we are as a country and we cannot sit back and do nothing and allow that to happen."
Source: KUAR Public Radio on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Sep 6, 2021
Tim Griffin:
Supports Supreme Court nominations in election year
President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to nominate a justice for the Supreme Court, and the Senate has the same authority to advise and consent. Those powers don't change simply because it's an election year.
It's that simple. The rest is politics. President Trump is right to fill the vacant seat with a qualified nominee.
Source: Lt. Governor press release for 2022 Arkansas governor race
Sep 25, 2020
Tim Hutchinson:
Parents operated a Christian radio station and school
Asa Hutchinson grew up on a farm with his brother Tim who later became a senator. Their parents also operated a Christian radio station in school.
After graduating from Bob Jones University, Asa Hutchinson attended the University of Arkansas law school at the same time that Bill Clinton started teaching there.
He became US attorney in western Arkansas and prosecuted Clinton's half brother, Roger, for cocaine possession.Hutchinson easily won election as Governor in 1996 to succeed his brother, who moved to the Senate.
He combined a conservative voting record with a pleasant demeanor to become an important player in a short time.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2002 Arkansas Senate race
Oct 5, 2015
Tom Cotton:
Served in military, academia, and as management consultant
Ben Sasse and Tom Cotton have a lot in common: Republican candidacies for the Senate, Ivy League advanced degrees--a Yale PhD for Sasse, a Harvard law degree for Cotton--and a tour of duty in the white-shoe world of management consulting. One more thing:
They are running as common-man conservatives from the heartland under the banner of the Tea Party.The resumes of Sasse (R, NE) and Cotton (D, AR) do not exactly fit the profile of populists.
That is especially true for the lines dedicated to the Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey & Company, firms that advise corporations on strategy, efficiency and ways to increase profitability.
Most of Cotton's adult life has been in academia and
the military, and he has spent a year in Congress. His time at McKinsey was also barely more than a year, during which time his group leader immersed him in the intricacies--and the value--of the Affordable Care Act.
Source: N.Y. Times on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
May 17, 2014
Tom Cotton:
Fastest male in Congress; has finished 11 marathons
Rep. Tom Cotton retained his title as the fastest male in the 113th Congress, running the 3-mile course of the 33rd Annual ACLI Capital Challenge in 18:29. Cotton ran the course in 17:55 in 2013. Former Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) holds the record for the
House: he finished in 16:59 in 1995.Unfortunately for Cotton, his other big race--the heated Arkansas Senate campaign against Sen. Mark Pryor--has taken a toll on the congressman's workout regime. "I do have to work harder to get my runs in each
morning," Cotton said. Proceeds from the event went to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, which helps provide guide dogs to wounded veterans.
The congressman took up running as part of his Army training in 2005, and discovered he enjoyed the sport.
Cotton has since run 11 marathons. If Cotton beats Pryor and runs the race as a senator in 2015, he has a better chance of breaking a record. The Senate record belongs to former Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), who ran the 1981 Capital Challenge in 18:15.
Source: Roll Call's Gossip Blog on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
May 1, 2014
Tom Cotton:
Slavery was necessary evil upon which union was built
On colonial America: "We have to study the history of slavery and its role and impact on the development of our country because otherwise we can't understand our country.
As the Founding Fathers said, it was the necessary evil upon which the union was built, but the union was built in a way, as Lincoln said, to put slavery on the course to its ultimate extinction," he said.
Instead of portraying America as "an irredeemably corrupt, rotten and racist country," the nation should be viewed "as an imperfect and flawed land,
but the greatest and noblest country in the history of mankind," Cotton said.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 26, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023