Conway-area House seat draws interest of 3 men

The state House seat being opened next year by the departure of Republican Rep. David Meeks of Conway has drawn the interest of two Democrats and a GOP candidate.

First-time political candidate Michael Wendel, a Democrat, began courting donations through a Facebook page and crowd-funding website this week. And longtime Conway city councilman Andy Hawkins said Tuesday that he's planning to enter the Democratic primary.

Meanwhile, Faulkner County Quorum Court member Spencer Hawks, a Republican, said he will seek to succeed Meeks, who has served in the state House since 2011.

Meeks is not running for re-election.

House District 70 covers parts of Perry and Faulkner counties and includes the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. In separate phone interviews, all three candidates said education issues would be central to their campaigns.

Wendel, a 30-year-old graduate of UCA, said he would push for "debt-free" higher education, beginning with the goal of making two-year colleges in the state tuition free.

Asked about charter schools, Hawks, 34, said they need to be reviewed on a "case-by-case basis." Wendel said charter schools should be held to the "same standard" as public schools, which he said he does not believe is the case now.

After the Arkansas Legislature in 2017 passed a law that would allow gun owners, who have special permits, to take concealed handguns onto college campuses, Hawks said there was a need to have a dialogue with students and faculty members about whether guns should be allowed on campus.

Wendel said, "I don't agree with [the campus-carry law] whatsoever." He noted that a previous law allowed public colleges to decide whether to allow guns on campus, and none chose to do so.

Wendel said poverty and health care access will also be issues he speaks about in his campaign. He criticized Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson for "chipping away at the progress we have made" under the state's private-option Medicaid expansion program. Hutchinson has requested permission from the federal government to add a work requirement to the program and to remove 60,000 enrollees with incomes above the poverty line.

Wendel said his goal is for Medicaid to cover everyone, while adding "I know that's a pipe dream in Arkansas."

Hawks declined to say whether he supported the Medicaid expansion program or Hutchinson's proposed revisions to it, saying he wanted more time to look at the budget. The program has divided Republicans in recent legislative sessions.

Hawkins -- who put his chance of running at 99 percent -- said he did not have a stance on charter schools, campus gun laws or Medicaid expansion. He said that during the Democratic primary, he hopes to gain support because of his political experience.

"I think I have a pretty good finger on the pulse of the city of Conway," Hawkins said.

Meeks has won every election in District 70 since reapportionment. He ran unopposed in 2016.

"I'm not taking anything for granted," Hawks said of the political leanings in the district. "I'm feeling positive."

Hawks, a Realtor, has served on the Quorum Court since 2017. It's his first position in public office.

Hawkins, a 64-year-old insurance agent and former public address announcer for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team, has served on the Conway City Council since 1994.

Wendel, a corporate recruiter, said he decided to run after watching the elections in 2016. This year, he said, he volunteered to make phone calls for successful Democratic candidates in Virginia and Alabama.

According to financial disclosure reports filed with the secretary of state's office, Hawks leads in fundraising with $36,876 cash on hand, after giving his campaign a $20,000 loan last year. Wendel reported recently having $45 available. Hawkins has yet to file a report.

The filing period for the May 22 party primaries begins Feb. 22. The general election is Nov. 6. Representatives serve two-year terms and are paid $40,188 a year, plus per diem and mileage during legislative sessions and for attending meetings.

Metro on 01/10/2018

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