Voters in Benton and Washington counties will, in the March 1 primary, have choices to make in several races for the Arkansas General Assembly.
As we note each day, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette endorsements are meant to be part of the discussion as voters consider their options for representation. We remain ever mindful that the voters have the most important decision to make, for the power to select who will represent them is fully in their hands. Our editorial board interviewed all the candidates in the last few weeks.
These are our recommendations in six races for the state House of Representatives and one for the state Senate.
BENTON COUNTY
State Representative,
District 90
The question for voters in District 90 this year is whether they believe Gov. Asa Hutchinson is doing a good job leading the state. Why? Because Randy Alexander, 64, a recent transplant from Springdale where voters cast him out of the state Legislature after one term in 2014, and Jana K. Starr, 52, once a GOP chairman in another county, believe Hutchinson is wrong on his handling of the so-called Private Option health insurance program and of the Common Core education standards. They want to unseat first-term state Rep.
Jana Della Rosa, 39, who has done a great job at the state Capitol tackling issues with conservative pragmatism. Hutchinson has endorsed Della Rosa, and if voters like the direction he's taking the state, they shouldn't send obstructionist lawmakers into the Legislature. And that's what we believe Alexander and Starr would be. Della Rosa has earned an opportunity to continue representing District 90 by applying conservative principals to the realities of making state government operate.
State Representative,
District 94
State Rep. Rebecca Petty, 43, experienced a horrific event in her life -- the 1999 murder of her 15-year-old daughter Andi by a relative -- that made her a driven advocate for issues such as victims' rights. She's passionate about it and will forever fill the role of advocate. As a lawmaker, however, her interests and acquired knowledge in her first term do not go far enough to adequately serve the interests of District 94. She faces a challenger in Debra M. Hobbs, a former three-term representative who once supported Petty to replace her. Hobbs is a hard-right conservative who seeks a return to office in part because Petty supported Gov. Hutchinson's approach on the Private Option Medicaid expansion. Hobbs is vehemently against it. We think Hutchinson is on the right path, but the district also deserves a more thoroughly informed and interested representative. Between these two, we recommend Hobbs. The winner of the GOP primary March 1 will face Democrat Grimsley Graham of Rogers.
State Representative,
District 95
Sue Scott, 62, the two-term representative hoping voters will give her another two years at the State Capitol, may be one of the best all-around representatives in the state. She is deeply engaged in the community she serves, asks lots of questions and carries with her a vast amount of knowledge gleaned from constituents. In the March 1 GOP primary, she's challenged by 25-year-old Austin McCollum, who does business analytics for Walmart. McCollum is a nice guy who may one day be a great choice for elective office, but at this stage he's primarily been a political operative working for French Hill's campaign for Congress in Little Rock. It make no sense for voters to give up Scott's depth of community connection and legislative experience for a young political upstart.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
State Senate, District 7
State Sen. Jon Woods surprised a lot of people in the final days before the deadline to file for office by revealing his decision not to seek re-election. Sharon Lloyd, a 56-year-old teacher who serves on the Washington County Quorum Court, had already filed to challenge Woods in the GOP primary. State Rep. Lance Eads, 47, and in his first term in the House, quickly dropped plans to seek re-election and filed for state Senate. Eads has had at least a little experience in the legislative process during his first term and has represented his district well. We believe that's a combination that's right for the state Senate, and so does Gov. Hutchinson, who has endorsed Eads, a vice president at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. Eads is the kind of reasonable lawmaker Hutchinson needs in Little Rock.
State Representative, District 81
With the departure of beleaguered state Rep. Justin Harris from this seat in the Arkansas General Assembly, this race pits two political newcomers in the campaign to replace him. Bruce Coleman, 73, retired after operating a family propane business in Mountainburg serving the area for 37 years. Derek Goodlin, 46, of Rudy is president of a Fort Smith long-term care consulting and management company. Our choice for the post is Coleman, whose years as a businessman and as election commissioner in Crawford County have given him a strong sense of the people of the district. He's a better fit for this two-county House district. The winner will face Democrat Susan G. McGaughey of West Fork in November.
Correction
A previous version of this story had Bruce Coleman and Derek Goodlin in the wrong district. The error has been corrected.
State Representative, District 88
Lance Eads' departure for the District 7 State Senate race created an opening for three contenders for his House post: Isaac Foley, a 24-year-old church bookstore manager; Phillip Humbard, 57, a retired civil engineer and part owner of Springdale's Engineering Services Inc.; and Clint Penzo, a 40-year-old Realtor and former Tontitown alderman. Our recommendation in this race is Humbard, whose profession has trained him to be an analytical problem-solver. He's lived in the district 23 years and in Springdale for 32. He said he wants to speak for people like veterans and the unborn who don't always have a voice in politics. And he recognizes the importance of the poultry industry to the economy of the regional and state.
State Representative, District 89
Micah Neal, the current holder of this seat in the Legislature, is running for Washington County judge. Former county assessor and Springdale alderman Jeff Williams, 53, and Charles Gaines, a 27-year-old assistant director of development for the Fulbright College at the University of Arkansas, would like to replace him. Williams performed well as assessor has an extensive background in the community he's seeking to serve as well as thorough knowledge about the issues the next General Assembly is likely to face. He has laid the groundwork for being a solid representative.
Commentary on 02/12/2016