The Republican primary for Congress is heating up.
There are no less than seven candidates in the race.
One of them is Rogers Mayor Steve Womack. Going in, I expected him to be a really strong candidate. So far, he has committed what I would consider missteps. I commented two weeks ago how at a candidate forum he actually seemed, despite his reputation, the weakest of the candidates on illegal immigration. Then he got hit by another candidate, Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith, for his proposal to build senior fitness centers like the one he helped build in Rogers. To use the exact words from Womack’s release, “his belief that every American should have access to healthy lifestyle choices, recreational opportunities and affordable care is exemplified by the Adult Wellness Center inRogers.”
DeLay responded to Womack’s proposal by saying, “If he is seriously believes that every American should have access to these kinds of regional workout facilities he will have to substantially increase spending by both federaland local governments ... This plan is right out of the Obama, Reid, and Pelosi playbook.” Ouch.
But Mayor Womack stuck to his program, “It’s concerning that someone running for the 3rd District appears to have such a fundamental lack of understanding of a great area success story like the Wellness Center. I think it’s safe to say Mr. DeLay has never visited the center, so I would like to invite him for a personal tour.” DeLay apparently did not want to show up alone and have the Mayor and 50 people who are beneficiaries of the taxpayer funded program jump on him for opposing such a noble cause.
DeLay wrote in response that the invitation should extend to all of the candidates, “I think it is only fair to invite all candidates that have filed for the 3rd District Congressional seat, as well as the media,to open a discussion about the proper use of taxpayer dollars.”
That was not the only issue with the mayor. The lefty Arkansas Times blog cited some allies of Asa Hutchinson who claimed that Mayor Womack supported Democrat Mike Beebe for Governor in 2006. Such moves would have been quiet and mostly behind-the-scenes, but Hutchinson had to know which mayors in his home county were not backing him. This might partly explain why the Hutchinson clan, with one or two minor exceptions who might support Gravette city councilman Kurt Maddox, are backing Womack’s Rogers rival, State Senator Cecile Bledsoe. Bledsoe is fiscally moderate and socially conservative. Should Bledsoe win the congressional race, she would resign from herstate senate seat and pave the way for State Representative Donna Hutchinson to take over that senate seat four years early.
If that is too cozy for you, there are other candidates in the race. Gen.
Bernie Skoch has a devoted base of support whichextends beyond his fellow Mormons. Skoch was also in the race before Boozman decided he deserved a promotion to U.S. Senate, so he is clearly not lacking in political courage. Also in the race is my personal choice, Gravette city councilman and businessman Kurt Maddox, for whom I have done some work.
Boone County Judge Mike Moore is also a good man in the race. Agent Steve Lowery is also running and seems to have some good ideas and a lot of knowledge on the details of federal operations.
One other note, I am please to report that County Judge Dave Bisbee has drawn a primary opponent, Justice of the Peace William Stephenson. Businessman Curtis Clinard may also file.
◊◊◊
Mark Moore is the lead writer for an Internet blog on matters pertaining to Arkansas culture and government, Arkansas Watch, and on Tuesday nights is the host of an Internet-based radio program, The Guide for the Perplexed. He can be reached through The Times at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 4 on 03/10/2010