FAYETTEVILLE — Two Republican candidates for state Senate answered more than two dozen questions Wednesday before committing to a divergent view on any issue.
State Rep. Tim Summers, R-Bentonville, and Bart Hester of Cave Springs covered budget, tax, poverty, reimbursements, education, highway funding and ethics before they split significantly over a proposed diesel tax. The two, who are both seeking the Senate District 1 seat covering central Benton County and portions of northwest Washington County, spoke at a forum hosted by the Washington County Republican Women.
The winner of the May 22 primary becomes the presumptive District 1 senator, as no Democrats are running for the seat.
Following the prepared questions, one audience member asked both men to clarify exactly what differences might exist between the two candidates. To that point, Summers’ support of a proposed 5-cent-per-gallon diesel tax and Hester’s opposition to the issue had been their only clear point of dissension. Summers said he personally supports the idea, and voted to refer the issue to voters. Hester said he’s personally opposed to the proposal.
Summers touted his 24 years in government service with the state House, the Benton County Quorum Court and the Bentonville City Council, while Hester promoted his work ethic and pledges to vote anti-tax and pro-life.
After almost an hour of near-agreement on most issues, the two disagreed over the priorities of voters in the district. Summers cited jobs and economic growth, while Hester said voters want a “true conservative” above all else.
The forum was held in Fayetteville, outside the district boundaries. About 6,000 potential votes in the district come from Washington County, less than 10 percent of the total district residents, said Robin Lundstrum of the Washington County Republican Women.