District 87 State House Race A Choice Between Conservatives

Monday, April 21, 2014

SILOAM SPRINGS -- Lucas Roebuck and Robin Lundstrum are from opposite ends of House District 87, but are very close in their conservative politics, the two candidates said in separate interviews.

The two are rivals for the Republican nomination for a state House of Representatives district that stretches from the Oklahoma border at Siloam Springs in Benton County to Tontitown, Elm Springs and western Springdale in Washington County.

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Lundstrum

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Roebuck

Profile

Arkansas House

District 87

Republican

Name: Robin Lundstrum

Age: 50

Residency: Elm Springs

Family: Husband, Tom Jr.; two children

Employment: Owner of Cypress Investments, which owns and manages rental property

Education: Doctorate in health services from the University of Arkansas

Military Experience: None

Political Experience: Elm Springs City Council, 2011 to present.

Name: Lucas Roebuck

Age: 39

Residency: Siloam Springs

Family: Wife, Cherissa; four children

Employment: Director of communications, John Brown University

Education: Master’s degree in journalism, University of Arkansas; bachelor of arts, journalism, John Brown University

Military Experience: None

Political Experience: None

Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Springs, holds the seat but is ineligible to run for re-election because of state limits on the number of House terms. There is no declared opposition for the Republican candidate in this race, making the winner of the May 20 primary the likely winner of the election.

Roebuck, 39, is director of communications for John Brown University and a resident of Siloam Springs. Lundstrum, 50, is a two-term city council member in Elm Springs, a former teacher at John Brown University and a businesswoman.

Tax relief that would help small businesses would be a major legislative priority for him, Roebuck said. Lundstrum's priorities would be protecting private property rights, streamlining the state budget process and making the state more business friendly, she said.

"Lucas and I are both conservatives, but the difference is I've lived it," Lundstrum said. "I've been on a city council, been active in the Republican Party to get conservative candidates elected and been in business."

Many candidates for the Legislature have experience in city government and campaigns, Roebuck said.

"I have a unique skill set as a successful communicator," he said. "Not just communicating a good idea, but building a broad consensus around it is something I have experience in.

"Conservatives have learned that if you're going to be in office, you'd better be able to craft messages," Roebuck said, referring to embarrassing gaffes such as that by U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo. Akin lost his 2012 U.S. Senate bid after saying that victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant.

Lundstrum said her wider-ranging experience includes consensus building and communication.

"When you're in the trenches or behind the scenes in Republican campaigns, you know that you have to get along with somebody at 9 that morning, argue with them at 10, get along with them at 11 and argue again at lunch," she said.

"Experience, experience, experience, in business, politics and life," Lundstrum said of her qualifications.

Both candidates said they would be able to represent patrons of the district wherever they live.

Lundstrum said she taught for nine years at John Brown University and maintains many friendships and contacts there. Roebuck said he was married in Springdale, wrote on issues involving the region when he worked for the Northwest Arkansas Times newspaper and was formerly active in plays at Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale.

NW News on 04/21/2014