Garner prevails over Collins for State House seat

Denise Garner, winner of State House District 84, gets a hug Tuesday as she enters the room during a watch party for the Washington County Democratic Party of Arkansas at Farrell’s Lounge in Fayetteville.
Denise Garner, winner of State House District 84, gets a hug Tuesday as she enters the room during a watch party for the Washington County Democratic Party of Arkansas at Farrell’s Lounge in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- State Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, lost his bid for a fifth term to Democratic challenger Denise Garner in a race watched statewide as a possible bellwether for a Democratic Party comeback.

Garner had both a home-grown base of support from decades of work with local nonprofits and causes. She also drew support from around the state in response to Collins' championing of a bill that allows concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns onto state college and university campuses if they get extra training.

"I'm thrilled not just for myself but for this team who has worked so hard on a grassroots effort that was an uphill battle every day," Garner said.

The complete but unofficial vote totals were:

• Collins: 6,016(55%)

• Garner: 7,456(45%)

Garner said during the race that Collins has an opinion of his own and sticks to it despite what his constituents want on the guns issue and any other. Collins said his record is wide, varied and influential; one that benefits residents of his district in particular and Arkansas in general.

Collins, 55 is co-owner of Crown Partners Executive Search, a job recruitment firm. Although best known for his campus carry legislation, he played a vital part in crafting the bipartisan Medicaid expansion legislation that earned national renown.

On health care, Collins said the support of conservative lawmakers like him was vital to getting the state's innovative health care plan passed in 2013 and renewing it in subsequent years.

District 84 stretches from northern West Fork to southern Springdale. It takes in the eastern side of Fayetteville, but does not include the grounds of the University of Arkansas, where Collins' gun legislation stirred the most protest.

Garner also criticized state grants Collins steered to Ecclesia College, a private religious school in Springdale that was later found to have given kickbacks to lawmakers who made bigger grants. Collins was never implicated in the kickback scheme. Collins said he supported Ecclesia's work college concept, which allows students to get a college degree without incurring a lot of loan debt. Work study colleges allow students to work off much of their tuition.

As a director of nonprofit efforts, Garner said, she would foster a more cooperative approach if elected.

State House members serve two-year terms and have an annual salary of $39,400.

Politics on 11/07/2018

Upcoming Events