IN NEW AUDIO, PRYOR MISLEADS COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT HIS VOTING RECORD

May 12, 2014 by Team Cotton Leave a Comment

Pryor even criticized his 2002 opponent for “going to Washington and voting 95% with his political party”

Little Rock, Arkansas —

In recent remarks to a group of college students at Ouchita Baptist University, Senator Mark Pryor complained that his political opponents were falsely accusing him of voting over 90% of the time with President Obama, despite years of non-partisan CQ Roll Call vote studies that prove Senator Pryor is a rubber-stamp vote for President Obama’s agenda.

Here’s what Pryor told a group of students at Ouchita Baptist University:

PRYOR (starting at 21:06): “Of course, what they do, of course, is they manipulate all of those numbers. Like I’ve voted with the president 95 percent of the time, which is not true. But anyway, they manipulate those numbers and come up with these numbers that don’t hold water when you get down to it. But if they say it enough, people believe it.”

The only problem? The facts tell a different story. The non-partisan CQ Roll Call study shows how Senator Pryor has rubber-stamped President Obama’s agenda as much as 95% of the time throughout President Obama’s time in office.

• Pryor Voted With President Obama 90% in 2013. (Congressional Quarterly www.cq.com, Accessed 2/3/14)
• Pryor Voted With President Obama 91% In 2012. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 4/18/13)
• Pryor Voted With President Obama 95% In 2011. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 4/18/13)
• Pryor Voted With President Obama 92% In 2010. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 4/18/13)
• Pryor Voted With President Obama 95% In 2009. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 4/18/13)

Cotton spokesman David Ray said: “It’s not shocking that Senator Pryor would try to disavow his record of voting for President Obama’s agenda 95% of the time. However, the facts tell a different story. A whopper this big should cause even the most dishonest politician to blush.”

To make matters worse, Pryor himself is caught on video using nearly identical statistics to attack his 2002 opponent for supporting Republicans.

Was Senator Pryor misleading voters when he used the same statistics in 2002? Or is he simply misleading them now in an effort to obfuscate and hide from his record?

Background:

Pryor Attacked Incumbent Sen. Hutchinson For Voting With His Party 95% Of The Time And That He Has Not Been A Voice For The Needs Of Arkansans.

Pryor Said In A 2002 Debate On AETN That He “Doesn’t Consider It Very Bi-Partisan” When A Senator Votes 95% With His Own Party. PRYOR: “Tim Hutchinson is concerned about this perception that he’s changed in Washington. In 1996 when he stood here on AETN, he talked about how bipartisan he’d be in Washington. But he’s gone to Washington, and he’s voted 95% in most years with his political party. I don’t consider that very bipartisan, and I don’t think you do either. (Mark Pryor, 2002 U.S. Senate debate on AETN, Video from YouTube)

Pryor Said Tim Hutchinson Is Not Listening To Arkansas Because He Is Voting With His Party 95% Of The Time. PRYOR: “Quite frankly, they know in Tim Hutchinson, he’s gone to Washington, he’s voted with his party in most years about 95 percent of the time, and he’s not listening to us. That’s what people here understand. He’s not listening to us, and what I’ll do as United States senator is I’ll always listen and I always go to Washington and try to put Arkansas first.” (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” 10/31/02)

Pryor Spokesman Michael Teague: “This Shows That Voters Do Not Want A Senator Who Votes With His Party 95 Percent Of The Time As Tim Hutchinson Has Done.” (Michael Rowett, “Hutchinson, Pryor Camps See Split Polls Each Claim Senate Race Lead,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/27/02)

- See more at: http://www.tomcotton.com/2014/05/pryor-misleads-college-students/#sthash.rrdN3GxE.dpuf

COTTON WANTS TO END KEY MEDICARE BENEFITS FOR SENIORS TODAY

Cotton has voted to eliminate free cancer screenings, flu shots and wellness visits that seniors enjoy right now

This week, Pryor for Senate will highlight how Cotton’s campaign promise of “zero changes” for current seniors and those nearing retirement is blatantly false

LITTLE ROCK — In Congress, Rep. Tom Cotton has taken every opportunity to undermine Medicare’s guaranteed benefits for seniors, repeatedly voting to begin turning the program over to insurance companies, raise the age of eligibility to 70 and cut benefits for seniors today.

On the campaign trail, Cotton has come under fire for his uniquely irresponsible votes against Arkansas seniors, which is why he has begun repeating the false claim that he supports “zero changes” for today’s seniors and those nearing retirement.

The facts tell a different story, however, as Cotton has supported and voted for plans that would cut benefits now for seniors on Medicare and Social Security.

Among the most immediate examples are Cotton’s votes to end free cancer screenings, flu shots, and wellness visits for seniors on Medicare.

“Congressman Cotton apparently thinks he knows better than Arkansans, and his reckless votes to immediately end Medicare benefits and increase out-of-pocket costs would have real consequences for Arkansas seniors,” said Pryor for Senate spokesman Erik Dorey. “Sure, it may serve Congressman Cotton’s political ambitions to promise ‘zero changes’ to seniors on Medicare, but his irresponsible votes speak for themselves: if Tom Cotton gets his way, seniors would no longer receive free cancer screenings, flu shots or wellness visits.”

Currently in Arkansas, over 500,000 Medicare enrollees can receive preventive care at no cost to them, but Cotton has voted to immediately deny them free services like cancer screenings, mammograms, flu shots and annual wellness visits.

Through 2012, Arkansas seniors saved a total of $50,287,595 on preventative care, an average savings of $622 per beneficiary. If Cotton were to get his way, these benefits would end immediately and seniors would have to pay more out of pocket for the same care they enjoy today.

BACKGROUND:

COTTON’S PROMISE TO MAKE ZERO CHANGES TO MEDICARE JUST DOES NOT ADD UP

Cotton Favored “Zero Changes” For Current Medicare Recipients And Those Nearing Retirement. According to the WSJ, “In Arkansas, Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor has aired television ads featuring women—sitting at their kitchen table—assailing his Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Cotton, for backing cuts to Medicare…In response, Mr. Cotton’s campaign said the congressman favors ”zero changes” for current Medicare recipients and those nearing retirement, but that long-term changes are necessary to keep the program solvent.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/16/14]

Cotton Said “We Make No Changes For Those Who Are In Or Approaching Retirement For Medicare.” In an interview on Fox News with Neil Cavuto, Cotton said, “Well, we make no changes for those who are in or approaching retirement for Medicare. But, for my generation who are decades away, who are living longer than we ever have in America, then yes we do need to modernize these programs to make sure that they can continue to fulfill the promises we’ve made to all Americans.” [Fox News, 4/7/14; emphasis added]

BUT COTTON ACTUALLY VOTED TO CUT MEDICARE BENEFITS FOR SENIORS ON MEDICARE TODAY

Cotton Voted To Eliminate Free Preventative Services, Such As Cancer Screenings, For Seniors On Medicare Today. Cotton voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. According to PolitiFact, The Affordable Care Act included “preventive care with no out-of-pocket costs. Everyone on Medicare is now eligible for free preventive care as a result of President Barack Obama’s health care law. Seniors’ annual wellness visits would be covered, as well as flu shots and a number of screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, HIV, and cholesterol (complete list is here). These services would not require co-pays.” [CQ; Vote #86, 3/20/13; Vote 88, 3/20/13; PolitiFact, 8/18/12]

Cotton Voted To Eliminate Free Yearly Wellness Visit For Seniors On Medicare.Cotton voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. According to the AARP, “Until Jan. 1 [2011], Medicare did not cover any routine exams except for the ‘Welcome to Medicare’ exam for new beneficiaries. The Affordable Care Act created the once-a-year wellness visit as a new benefit, paying doctors to perform it and making it free to patients. By the end of June, Medicare had paid for nearly 1 million such visits, according to CMS.” [CQ; Vote #86, 3/20/13; Vote 88, 3/20/13; AARP, 7/22/11]

Arkansas Seniors Saved Over $50 Million On Preventative Services, Such As Cancer Screenings And Flu Shots. According to the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services, Arkansas Seniors saved $50,287,595 on free preventative services under the Affordable Care Act. [Medicare Report, Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2012]

Cotton Was The Only Member Of The Arkansas Delegation To Vote For Republican Study Committee Budget That Would Turn Medicare Into A Voucher System For People Age 59 And Raise The Medicare Eligibility Age To 70. In 2013, Cotton was the only member of the Arkansas delegation to vote in favor of the Republican Study Committee Budget. According to the Southwest Times Record, the Republican Study Committee budget “would turn Medicare into a voucher system, raise the full retirement age to 70 and provide smaller cost-of-living adjustments by using a different method to calculate inflation. The RSC budget, which was offered as an amendment to a House budget resolution, was rejected in March.” The budget was rejected by a vote of 104-132. [CQ; H Con Res 25, Vote #86, 3/20/13; Southwest Times Record, 11/13/13]

Westerman: Decision Ignores the People's Voice

Decision Ignores the People's Voice
Westerman decries ruling against traditional marriage

HOT SPRINGS -- Former Arkansas House Majority Leader and Fourth District Congressional Candidate Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) today issued the following statement regarding a Circuit Judge's ruling against Arkansas's voter-passed Constitutional Amendment recognizing marriage in Arkansas as between one man and one women:

"Today's decision ignores the voice of the people of Arkansas, who chose to make marriage between one man and one woman the law of the land through a constitutional amendment.  I find it difficult to understand how a constitutional amendment can be ruled unconstitutional.

"Marriage was defined long before it was codified into law and I believe, informed through faith, that no one has the power to redefine it.  I strongly urge this ruling be stayed and appealed immediately."

About Rep. Bruce Westerman

A lifelong resident of Garland County, Rep. Bruce Westerman was Arkansas's first Republican House Majority Leader in 138 years and an architect of the House Republican SIMPLE Plan which led to the 2013 Republican takeover of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

An engineer and forester for 22 years at Mid-South Engineering in Hot Springs, Westerman is a registered professional engineer in Arkansas and six other states, and a registered forester in Arkansas. He holds a Master of Forestry degree (2001) from Yale University. In 2013, he was named Engineer of the Year by the Arkansas Society of Professional of Engineers.

Westerman graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from the Univesity of Arkansas in 1990. While at Arkansas, Westerman was a four-year walk-on member of the Razorback Football Team. He received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2005 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.

Westerman is a former board member of the Fountain Lake School District and is a deacon at Walnut Valley Baptist Church. He lives in Hot Springs with his wife Sharon and their four children.

For more information on Rep. Bruce Westerman, please visit http://BruceWesterman.com and follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WestermanAR, Facebook at http://facebook.com/WestermanAR, Tumblr athttp://WestermanAR.tumblr.com, and Instagram at http://instagram.com/WestermanAR.

Westerman Earns 100% NFIB Rating

Westerman Earns 100% NFIB Rating
NFIB/Arkansas: Westerman 'stood up for' Arkansas job creators, working families

HOT SPRINGS -- Former Arkansas House Majority Leader and Fourth District Congressional Candidate Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) today issued the following statement after receiving a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business Arkansas chapter for his voting record during the 89th Arkansas General Assembly:

"As part-owner of the business I've worked at in Hot Springs for the last 22 years, I am honored to be recognized by NFIB/Arkansas.  Small business is what will turn our economy around, and they are being prevented from growing good-paying jobs for Arkansas workers by the unfair, top-down regulations being handed down by an ever increasing centralized government of President Obama.

"I am proud to fight for Arkansas small businesses and working families in the state legislature, and I will be proud to take that fight to Congress representing Arkansas's Fourth District."

Slyvester Smith, state director for NFIB/Arkansas, said: "Small business is the engine that drives Arkansas' economy. By supporting small business, Bruce Westerman is supporting working families and the community."

"Bruce Westerman has stood up for Arkansas' employers and job creators time and time again on important issues such as tax reform and unemployment insurance," Smith continued. "Our members truly appreciate the efforts of Bruce Westerman to help grow Arkansas' economy and create jobs. 

Small businesses account for 97% of private-sector employers in Arkansas, and they employ over half of the non-government workforce. 

To achieve a 100 percent NFIB/Arkansas voting record, Westerman voted "yes" on legislation:

• That reduced the tax burden on all Arkansans by $30 million per year. 
• Made the rules clear and simple so that employees who are fired for misconduct are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits. 
• Stopped government growth and cut state government spending. 
• Reduced the sales and use tax relating to the partial replacement and repair of machinery and equipment used directly in manufacturing, thereby saving our businesses $20 million per year.

About NFIB

NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends its views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

About Rep. Bruce Westerman

A lifelong resident of Garland County, Rep. Bruce Westerman was Arkansas's first Republican House Majority Leader in 138 years and an architect of the House Republican SIMPLE Plan which led to the 2013 Republican takeover of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

An engineer and forester for 22 years at Mid-South Engineering in Hot Springs, Westerman is a registered professional engineer in Arkansas and six other states, and a registered forester in Arkansas. He holds a Master of Forestry degree (2001) from Yale University. In 2013, he was named Engineer of the Year by the Arkansas Society of Professional of Engineers.

Westerman graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from the Univesity of Arkansas in 1990. While at Arkansas, Westerman was a four-year walk-on member of the Razorback Football Team. He received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2005 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.

Westerman is a former board member of the Fountain Lake School District and is a deacon at Walnut Valley Baptist Church. He lives in Hot Springs with his wife Sharon and their four children.

For more information on Rep. Bruce Westerman, please visit http://BruceWesterman.com and follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WestermanAR, Facebook at http://facebook.com/WestermanAR, Tumblr athttp://WestermanAR.tumblr.com, and Instagram at http://instagram.com/WestermanAR.

ADHE extends scholarship application deadlines to July 1 for Faulkner, Independence, Randolph, Pulaski, White County residents

ADHE extends scholarship application deadlines to July 1 
for Faulkner, Independence, Randolph, Pulaski, White County residents

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The deadline to apply and accept financial aid – including the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship – through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) has been extended until July 1, officials said Monday, for residents in the tornado and flood damaged counties of Faulkner, Independence, Randolph, Pulaski and White, which were recently declared disaster areas by Gov. Mike Beebe.

“After touring the area last week, we began assessing what we could do to assist those affected by this terrible disaster,” said Director Shane Broadway, “and with our normal deadline of June 1 fast approaching, we wanted to be certain to allow more time for families most directly impacted.”

ADHE personnel have met with local public school officials in Mayflower and Vilonia, as well as Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). ADHE has provided informational brochures that will be included in packets that FEMA representatives will distribute to families in the coming days. 

ADHE employees will be temporarily stationed with computers and Internet access at Mayflower High School beginning today and Vilonia High School beginning Tuesday to assist applicants through Friday and longer if necessary. ADHE is also working with the other counties affected to determine possible placement of staff to assist victims in those communities.  

ADHE has also coordinated with each Arkansas university and college to identify a contact person who can assist those who may have lost the normal documentation necessary for applications for financial aid and college. The extenuating circumstances may also affect students who may not have qualified previously for some types of aid, officials said, ADHE will work with these students and the contact at their institution to revise their YOUniversal Scholarship Application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if necessary. 

There are also programs available for those individuals whose jobs have been lost to the destruction, Broadway said, and decide now may be the time to go back to school or seek training in another field while those businesses are being re-built.

“As the clean-up continues,” Broadway said, “we encourage students and their families to look to their future. However, if it seems impossible to enroll in the fall, students should know they are able to apply and accept the state’s scholarships and put them on hold for up to one year.”

The hold option also applies to students currently receiving ADHE scholarships who may have been impacted by the tornado and choose to take a semester or two off during recovery.

Questions for the ADHE financial aid department can be directed via email at finaid@adhe.edu with the subject line “Disaster Relief” or toll-free by telephone to 1-800-54-STUDY (7-8839). 

The ADHE is responsible for carrying out the policy directives of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, approving and reviewing college and university academic programs and developing funding recommendations for the state’s 11 public universities and 22 public two-year colleges as well as several other post-secondary entities. 

In addition, the agency is responsible for distributing approximately $150 million annually from state revenues and lottery funds intended to ease the financial burden of students seeking an education beyond high school. For more information, visit www.adhe.edu or call 501-371-2000.

COTTON RELEASES NEW AD: “JEALOUS”

May 8, 2014 by Team Cotton Leave a Comment

Cotton appears in new ad with his father highlighting Arkansas roots and values

Little Rock, Arkansas —

U.S. Senate candidate Tom Cotton is releasing a new 30-second television ad this morning. The new spot, titled “Jealous,” features Tom Cotton with his father Len on their family farm in Dardanelle.

Speaking to the camera, Cotton discusses the Arkansas values his father instilled in him growing up on their family’s cattle farm in Yell County. While narrating the ad, Cotton also speaks about the lessons his father taught him as a young man, such as not spending money you don’t have and standing for what’s right, even if you have to stand alone.

Cotton said: “I learned a lot of great lessons growing up on our cattle farm in Yell County as the son of Len Cotton. My dad not only gave me a good name, but he also taught me the values of hard work and duty to country. The commonsense wisdom and Arkansas values he instilled in me still guide me today as I try to get our nation back on a path toward fiscal responsibility and preserve the American Dream for future generations.”

The new Cotton ad can be viewed here. It is running on broadcast and cable television in the Little Rock and Fort Smith TV markets.

- See more at: http://www.tomcotton.com/2014/05/tom-cotton-releases-new-ad/#sthash.XoejyVm8.dpuf

Sterling stands firm in Support of Death Penalty

Sterling stands firm in Support of Death Penalty

David Sterling calls for return of Death Penalty in Arkansas

Republican David Sterling today said he is the only Attorney General candidate who has proposed a constitutional solution to Arkansas’ lethal injection law but, in the meantime, he supports resumption of the use of the electric chair.

“I don’t think the electric chair constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and neither does the United States Supreme Court that has considered this issue repeatedly over several decades.  Arkansas law authorizes the use of the electric chair and three out of the last six executions in Virginia have been by electrocution,” noted Sterling.

“The only thing ‘cruel and unusual’ here is the manner in which criminals violently murdered their victims and the suffering the victims’ families have had to endure as politicians and lawyers argue over what kinds of drugs we should use to ‘humanely’ execute the convicted murderers,” said Sterling.

“My opponent wants to make jokes about the death penalty because she does not understand how important this issue is to the families of murder victims.  While other candidates argue over the solution, we should carry out these executions consistent with Arkansas law, honor the memory of the victims, and help families bring closure to this chapter in their lives,” Sterling remarked.

“Women for French Hill” Coalition Announced

March 30, 2014

Little Rock, Ark. – Little Rock businessman and Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives (AR-2), French Hill, announced his “Women for French Hill” campaign coalition.

“I’m proud of our ‘Women for French Hill’ coalition and the Republican leaders, conservative activists, and business owners from across the Second District who have joined our team. Our grassroots organization is swelling, and we’re just getting started,” said French.

Judy Petty Wolf – Former Republican U.S. House of Representative Candidate (AR-2) and Arkansas State Representative

Gay White – Former Republican First Lady of Arkansas

Lisenne Rockefeller – President of Winrock Group

Phyllis Kincannon – Former Arkansas Republican Party Chairman, Former President of the Pulaski County Republican Women, Pulaski County Coordinator for Boozman for Arkansas

Dr. Diane Wilder – Medical Oncologist

State Senator Jane English – Current Republican from Arkansas Senate District 34

Lori Marvin – Former Treasurer of the Arkansas Federation of Republican Women, Former Pulaski County Republican Committee Secretary/2nd Vice Chair, Current French Hill for Arkansas Coalitions Co-Chairwoman

Mozella Flucht – Former 2nd District Director of the Arkansas Federation of Republican Women

Marie Holder – Former Director of the Republican Party of Arkansas

Jane Rogers – Chair of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, Republican Activist, Former Director of Riverfest Inc, and Former Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

Sarah Huckabee Sanders – John Boozman for Arkansas Campaign Manager and Republican Activist

Tricia Greene Turner – Former Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Women and Former President of the Arkansas Federation of Republican Women

Bettye Daley – Former Secretary of the North Pulaski Republican Women

Judy Gallagher – Hot Springs Village Republican Activist

Audry Henry – Former President of the Little Rock Republican Women

Princella Smith – Republican Political Strategist, Arkansas Radio Host, Humanitarian, and Motivational Speaker

Judith Goodson – Republican Activist and Director of Business Development, W by Worth

Mary Lou McCoy – North Pulaski Republican Women Chaplain

Marliese Kerr – Vice President Allen Kerr Insurance

Polly Sweet – Former Vice President of the North Pulaski Republican Women

Kelly Eichler – Attorney at Law, Staff of Governor Mike Huckabee, Former Republican Candidate for State Representative

Jo Provines – Former Treasurer of the North Pulaski Republican Women

Anita House – North Little Rock Republican Activist

Karla Braswell – Faulkner County Republican Activist

Deena Culberson – Former President of the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce

Bitsy Davis – Owner and Resident of Ashley-Alexander Plantation Home and Activist

Ann Keck – Saline County Activist

Ginny Garner – Former President of Pulaski County Republican Women

Martha Henson – Faulkner County Republican Activist

Jana Hiland – Former President of the Faulkner County Republican Women

Peggy Jones – Treasurer of the Pulaski County Republican Women

Tracy Nabholz – Faulkner County Republican Activist

Billie Jean Staples – Former Vice President of the North Pulaski Republican Women

Evelyn Van Pelt – Former Sherwood Business owner and Republican Activist

Dorothy Ward – Former Conway County Republican Committee Secretary and Former President of the Conway County Republican Women

Mindy Parham – Computer Specialist for the 2004 President George W. Bush Campaign

Carlyn Canham – Former Officer of the North Little Rock Republican Women and Campaign Activist

Catherine Canfield – North Pulaski Republican Women Member and Activist

Janice Walther – Civic Leader

Lynn O’Connor – Civic Leader

Virginia Harper – North Pulaski Republican Women Member and Activist

Cathy McGlothin – Commissioner, North Little Rock Residential Housing Facilities Board

Jane Wayland – Business School Dean and Professor of Marketing

Christie Goode – Faulkner County Republican Activist

Julie Benafield – Former Ark. Insurance Commissioner (Governor Huckabee) and Business Owner

MaryJane Rebick – Small Business Owner, Former Republican State Senate Candidate

Janice Goodwin – Former Small Business Owner and Republican Activist

Gloria Redman – Independent

Stacy Hurst – Little Rock City Director and Candidate for State Representative

Chucki Bradbury – Free Market Advocate and Civic Leader

Jonannn Chiles – Former Chief Counsel of Arkansas Department of Human Services (Governor Huckabee), Director of Legal Services Corporation (Appointed by President George W. Bush), Former Assistant Attorney General, Mother, Homemaker

Doodie Keet – Retired Attorney at Law

Julie Calhoun – Pulaski County Republican Women Member, Civic Leader

Allison Ingram – Pharmacist and Civic Leader

Martha Hill – Attorney at Law, Former Republican White House Staff

Steel Files for Arkansas Attorney General

Posted February 27, 2014 by natesteel & filed under News Releases.

LITTLE ROCK – State Representative Nate Steel made it official today, filing for the office of Attorney General.  Rep. Steel is a sixth-generation south Arkansas attorney who has spent his professional career fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. A former deputy prosecutor, Steel now serves in the state legislature representing Clark, Howard, Pike, and Hempstead counties.  He serves on Judiciary and Joint Budget committees and is vice chair of House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development.

“I am running for Attorney General because I believe Arkansas wants someone who will fight for and protect our children, our seniors, and our victims of crime and fraud,” Rep. Steel said.  As a state legislator and former deputy prosecutor, Nate has fought to protect victims and law-abiding citizens from those who would do them harm.

In the House of Representatives, Rep. Steel dedicated himself to cracking down on criminals while giving law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they needed to make Arkansas a safer place to live and raise a family.  “To continue the work that I have started would truly be an honor,” Rep. Steel said.  “I am excited to continue my statewide travels on the campaign trail, and I look forward to becoming your next Attorney General,” Steel concluded.

Rep. Steel is in his third term representing District 19 in the Arkansas House of Representatives.  He is a graduate of Nashville High School and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arkansas.  He serves on the Howard Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, the Cossatot Community College UofA Foundation Board of Directors and CASA for Children Board of Advisors. Nate is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Nashville, Arkansas.

Burkhalter files for Lt. Gov., Pledges to Use Small Business Background to Create Jobs, Opportunity for Arkansas

Little Rock, AR – Arkansas small business owner John Burkhalter today filed to be the state’s next Lieutenant Governor, pledging to use his experience creating jobs to help struggling families and businesses.

Burkhalter identified three key areas that he will focus on as Lieutenant Governor to help grow the Arkansas economy: creating a trained and educated workforce; building infrastructure; and keeping taxes and regulation low.

“I’m running because Arkansas should be the best place in America to start a business and raise a family,” Burkhalter said. “Too many folks are still struggling, and we have to do more to get this economy moving again. I’m not a politician. I have a different kind of experience. I’ve committed my entire life to building businesses and creating jobs right here in Arkansas.”

Burkhalter is an engineer by trade and has built a number of successful companies. He also served as the Chairman of the Economic Development Commission and was appointed by Gov. Beebe to the Arkansas State Highway Commission.

After filing, Burkhalter announced that starting next week he will launch a small business listening tour. He said the tour would be an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from job creators about what state government can do to help them grow and attract new businesses and industries.

“It’s time that Arkansas entrepreneurs have a Lieutenant Governor on their side,” Burkhalter said. “Our career politicians talk all day and all night, but they don’t do enough listening. There are folks out there today with good ideas who just need a champion. That’s the kind of Lieutenant Governor I will be.”

Burkhalter was joined today by his wife Penny and two daughters for candidate filing at the Capitol.