DeLay ‘in line’ with opposition to Card Check

Fort Smith attorney Gunner DeLay is the only Republican candidate in the 3rd District GOP primary to not be shown as returning a questionnaire asking candidates their position on the controversial federal Card Check legislation.

However, DeLay campaign worker Patrick Carlson said DeLay has returned the response and is opposed to Card Check.

The Coalition for Arkansas Jobs (CAJ) released Monday (April 19) the initial responses to its questionnaire on the Employee Free Choice Act that was sent to all Arkansas candidates seeking federal office.

The most controversial part of the Act would allow the designation of a union if a majority of employees sign pro-union authorization cards. Once the National Labor Relations Board validates the signatures, a union is created and collective bargaining with the employer begins.

“Basically he supports their (CAJ) cause. … He is in line with their thinking,” Carlson said.

DeLay is considered one of three frontrunners in the GOP primary, along with State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers and Rogers Mayor Steve Womack. Also in the GOP race to replace U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat, are: Steve Lowery of Springdale; Kurt Maddox of Gravette; Doug Matayo of Springdale; Boone County Judge Mike Moore; and Bernie Skoch of Elkins. Fayetteville attorney David Whitaker is the only Democrat to file for the 3rd District seat.

Robert Coon said he has not received DeLay’s response by mail, but confirmed he has been in touch with Carlson and said the indication is that DeLay does support the CAJ position on Card Check.

DeLay’s delayed response raised questions because of the pro-union legislation he sponsored as a Republican member of the Arkansas General Assembly in 2001. There were five pro-labor bills filed that would have increased workers’ compensation premiums — paid by Arkansas businesses — by between 22% and 32%, according to chamber info. Three of the five bills (SB 487, SB 488 and SB 489) were sponsored by DeLay, and he advocated for the two he didn’t sponsor. The bills were not passed.

DeLay and others also filed several pro-union bills (to include SB 490, SB 491, SB 841, SB 948, and SB 952) that clouded the negotiations between labor and business.

Rex Nelson, the spokesman in 2001 for then Gov. Mike Huckabee, labeled DeLay a "tool of the labor unions."

ROSS NOW OPPOSES CARD CHECK
Card Check lost another supporter among Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation with U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, saying he will not support the controversial federal legislation pro-union supporters are seeking with Democrats in control of Congress and the White House.

“Rep. Ross, a Democrat who has co-sponsored the card-check bill in three previous Congressional sessions (108th, 109th and 110th) and has once voted in favor of the bill (2007), now stands opposed to the legislation and will also reject any legislation that includes card check or binding arbitration,” noted the CAJ statement released Monday.

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, are the other members of the Arkansas Congressional delegation to oppose Card Check.

Link here for the summary of candidate responses to the CAJ survey on Card Check.