‘Cozy’ relationship in state Senate race criticized

The common courtesy of a term-limited incumbent remaining overtly neutral in the party primary may not be as common as once thought.

Three current and former Republican politicians have announced for the District 13 Senate seat now held by Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, who is term limited. Rep. Frank Glidewell, R-Fort Smith, and former Reps. Jake Files and Jim Medley have announced they will run for the senate seat.

A Democrat has yet to announce for the open seat.

Altes recently introduced Glidewell as his guest during a noon meeting of a prominent Fort Smith civic club. It is rumored that Altes will run for the House seat now held by Glidewell. In the age of Arkansas term limits, the “swapping” of seats between House and Senate members is not unusual.

Medley, a member of the civic club, was in attendance, and said he was more disappointed than upset with the obvious show of support given by Altes to Glidewell.

“I think it’s pretty clear that he wants to be cozy with him (Glidewell) and the people that vote for him,” Medley said, adding that he is confident his record and positions will rise above any political games.

Files shared Medley’s disappointment.

“I’m not surprised,” Files said when told of Altes’ action. “I hoped he would have stayed neutral like he promised me he would.”

Files also said Fort Smith voters are smart enough to see through political games of “seat swapping” and will support the candidate they think will do a better job representing Fort Smith in the Arkansas Legislature.

Altes did not respond to three messages (taken by humans and not a voice mail) left by The City Wire with his office.

Rex Terry, chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Party, said there is no rule prohibiting an incumbent from supporting other candidates in a party primary. Terry also said the civic club action “does not indicate anything other than (Glidewell) was Sen. Altes guest on the particular day.”