Lawmakers gather in Northwest Arkansas for 'politickin'

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks Thursday from atop a stump to a large crowd during the annual Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Regional civic and business leaders have the opportunity to speak with national, state, regional and local political leaders and elected officials at the event, which is organized by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks Thursday from atop a stump to a large crowd during the annual Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Regional civic and business leaders have the opportunity to speak with national, state, regional and local political leaders and elected officials at the event, which is organized by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce.

SPRINGDALE -- Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a native Northwest Arkansas son, received a warm welcome at the Tyson Foods' annual Chickin, Peelin' & Politickin' rally Thursday at Arvest Ballpark.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (left) speaks Thursday with Denise Bembenek, events coordinator with Soldier ON Service Dogs, during the annual Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Northwest Arkansas has become a unifying force in the state, Hutchinson told the crowd in a speech.

"The state is really coming together, and part of that is because someone has a child or a grandchild working here," he said. "It's incredible, and we're more united than we've ever been before."

The event, organized by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, is hosted by local industries. It provides a venue for local business and community members to mingle and talk with elected officials and political candidates.

Chamber President Perry Webb noted about 30 members of the 135-member Legislature attended from all over the state.

"We have about a fourth of the whole Legislature here," Webb said. "It's a good sign that this is becoming one of the most important events of its kind in the state."

Four of the state's seven constitutional officers also attended, he said. Legislative committees scheduled meetings in Northwest Arkansas around the event. The House and Senate agriculture committees and the Senate Judiciary Committee held meetings in Fayetteville on Thursday so members could also attend the event, members of those committees said. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville also has a home football game Saturday.

The rally had at least 500 people present within its first hour, apparently headed toward another record turnout. The rally for local business, political and community leaders started in 2011.

Hutchinson, a Benton County native who graduated from high school in Springdale, said he never expected to see such a rally in formerly isolated Northwest Arkansas.

"I love it because it's home,and I want to come, but I also want to help keep this tradition alive and do what I can to see everyone stays this enthusiastic," he said before the rally.

Guests at the event also included Conner Eldridge, a Democrat who has announced he'll oppose Sen. John Boozman's re-election in 2016. Boozman, a Republican, is from Rogers. Eldridge is from Fayetteville.

"It's important to get together and talk," Eldridge said of the bipartisan event. "That's why I came, and that's why I'm running."

Hutchinson said having strong-willed leaders who can cooperate instead of clash is vital.

"This region has strong leadership, and not just that," he said. "The leaders here know they have to work together."

Hutchinson is going to Cuba, he announced earlier this month, in part because the country will be a major new market for Northwest Arkansas' poultry and pork.

NW News on 09/18/2015

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