Rematch clash in Rogers

ROGERS -- Voters in Rogers' District 94 state House race will decide a rematch. Incumbent Rep. Rebecca Petty, R-Rogers, faces a challenge for a second term from Democrat Grimsley Graham, her Democratic opponent in 2014.

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Grimsley Graham

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Rebecca Petty

Graham hopes the higher turnout from the presidential election this year will benefit him.

Arkansas

House of Representatives

District 94

Democrat

Grimsley Graham

• Age: 67

• Residency: Rogers

• Employment: Retired teacher, Rogers School District

• Education: Master’s degree in political science, University of Arkansas

• Political experience: Unsuccessful candidate for Arkansas House in 2014

Republican

Rebecca Petty

• Age: 46

• Residency: Rogers

• Employment: Private child and crime victim consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2007 to present

• Education: Pursuing master’s degree in leadership and ethics, John Brown University; bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Arkansas Tech University

• Political experience: Arkansas House, 2015 to present

Source: Staff report

Both Graham and Petty point to her record as a lawmaker. She said her record shows she supports the conservative causes of the district's voters and she is very responsive to their needs.

Graham said her record shows an overemphasis on crime victim issues and social causes.

The election is Nov. 8. Early voting starts Monday.

"We're perilously close to a North Carolina situation, where the Legislature is passing things that we know will hurt the economy," Graham said. "I'm talking about things like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that would have passed if the governor hadn't responded to Wal-Mart and Tyson and pushed for something else. She supports issues like that."

The title "representative" means just what it says, Petty said on being a social conservative.

"This is a conservative district," she said. "If you want to be its representative in the Legislature, you should be willing to represent the people in it."

Petty voted for House Bill 1228 of 2015 by Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville. The bill would have restricted the state's ability to place a "substantial burden" on a person's right to follow his religious beliefs. The bill was criticized as allowing discrimination against gays and others -- a criticism its supporters denied. The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature, but was never signed by the governor, who signed another bill that included changes he requested in HB 1228.

"I believe everyone should be treated equally, and that this is part of the fabric of this country," Graham said.

HB 1228 and similar socially conservative legislation she's voted for isn't discriminatory and protects the rights of religious groups, Petty said.

Both candidates cited their support for education in their interviews.

Graham, a former teacher, said expanding pre-kindergarten education is a "linchpin" of why he's running.

Petty said she's known as an active and involved legislator with school staff, teachers and parents. She's a strong advocate for Northwest Arkansas Community College, she said.

Petty is particularly proud of Act 957 of 2015, which she sponsored. The act allows child witnesses to have a trained therapeutic dog with them when testifying at trial. The trained animals are considered by experts to relieve the stress for children testifying about crimes committed against them.

As noble as bills such as this are, Petty concentrates on crime victim issues at the expense of the district's broader concerns, Graham said. Petty lost a 12-year-old daughter, Andi, to murder in 1999.

"I think I can bring some common sense to the district," he said. "I have a broader agenda than she does. I'm particularly concerned about education and care for our veterans."

There's no conflict or cost to representing the district and being an advocate for crime victims, Petty said. In her interview she also brought up veterans, saying she meets with veterans groups regularly. She is drafting a bill now because state regulations are blocking efforts of a constituent who wants to start a mobile salon service for elderly customers, she said.

Graham would emphasize "keeping the 'Natural State' natural," he said. Tourism is important to the state's economy and the waters, rivers and hills are important to those who live here.

NW News on 10/20/2016

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