McCollum, Scott vie for House seat

ROGERS -- State Rep. Sue Scott, R-Rogers, faces a Republican primary challenger who is critical of Scott's vote on the state's private-option health care plan, the second such challenge in two elections.

This time Scott faces political newcomer Austin McCollum.

"I'm a conservative, which is what District 95 deserves," McCollum said. "When I'm going door to door, I'm asked why we have things like the private option when we have Republican majorities in the House, in the Senate and a Republican governor."

McCollum said he is more conservative than Scott on other issues, including gun owners' rights. Scott disputes that.

"I bring to this office four years of experience," Scott said. "I've taken on the tough issues, such as problems at the state Department of Human Services, guns and accountability by state agencies as vice chairman of the legislative audit committee."

Preventing child neglect and abuse is particularly important to Scott, she said. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, she said, she hopes to overhaul the state's system for protecting children. The committee position also allows her to protect gun owners' rights more effectively, she said.

Scott is particularly proud of Act 848 of 2015, which she sponsored, she said. The measure allows veterans who are skilled in certain trades to practice those trades without lengthy state-certification delays.

Scott was the only Republican on the House Judiciary Committee to vote against House Bill 1228 by Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville. The bill would have prohibited a city, county or the state from passing laws that supporters said protected religious beliefs. Opponents argued that it sanctioned discrimination against gays. The bill was withdrawn in favor of similar, heavily amended legislation.

Scott's re-election in 2014 was opposed by political newcomer Dane Zimmerman of Bella Vista, who objected to Scott's vote to accept the private-option health care plan.

This year, Zimmerman is Scott's campaign manager.

"It was a heated issue at the time, but the decision's been made," Zimmerman said. "It's a tired subject."

Scott agreed. "Is private option perfect? No. Would I vote for it again? Yes," Scott said.

McCollum said he has found during his campaigning that the voters of District 95 are opposed to the private-option plan.

And while Scott has supported legislation that protects gun owners' rights, she has not been as strong an advocate as she could be, McCollum said.

He said qualified faculty and staff members at state universities should be allowed to carry their guns on campus. Current law allows each university's or college's board of trustees to decide whether guns are allowed on campus. Changing that law would be a priority for him, he said.

"I don't oppose concealed carry for law-abiding students," he said.

McCollum also said he believes that technical education, such as computing and data management, needs more emphasis.

"The state should also do more to teach general education students tech skills," McCollum said. "I know people my age who can't find a job, and it's because they were not prepared. Gov. [Asa] Hutchinson's requirement that computer coding be taught in every high school is a good first step, but it's only a first step.

"Not everybody needs to be a programmer, but I'm pretty passionate about doing more to teach tech skills," McCollum said.

Metro on 02/04/2016