Realtors endorse Glidewell in state Senate race; other endorsements made

Based upon recommendations from the Fort Smith Board of Realtors, the political action committees of the Arkansas Realtors Association made endorsements in area political races — including endorsing Rep. Frank Glidewell over Realtor Jake Files.

Files, Glidewell and Jim Medley are squaring off in the GOP primary for the District 13 Senate seat that represents Fort Smith. The primary is the race for the seat because no Democrats have filed. (Link here for a recent report on the campaign finances of the candidates.)

The candidates were interviewed by local Realtors in early April, with the local board “reaffirming” to the ARA political action committee (ARA PAC) the 2009 endorsement of Glidewell. Indeed, campaign finance reports show Glidewell received $2,000 in October 2009 from two ARA PACs — about 6 months before interviewing all candidates in the race.

Sharla Lau, with Coldwell Banker Fleming-Lau Realty in Fort Smith, and Chuck Fawcett with Chuck Fawcett Realty, are the local trustees for the ARA PACs.

When asked about picking Glidewell over Files, who is a licensed Realtor, Lau said the group encourages Realtors to become politically active but decides who to endorse based on past support of the real estate industry.

“We’re not saying anyone is a bad candidate. No one is saying that. But that’s (Glidewell) who we picked based on the history and the facts on the table. Both (Files and Medley) are still considered good friends,” Lau said.

Lau said Glidewell and Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, chaired a committee in 2006 and 2007 to help develop reasonable rules to restore a home used as a meth lab. Lau said the effort became a model for other states.

“We have to take into consideration everything that’s happened in the past and how the candidates have supported Realtors throughout their tenure,” Lau added.

The Fort Smith Board of Realtors also recommended endorsements in four other area legislative races.
• In the House District 63 GOP primary race between Sen. Denny Altes and J.R. Dallas, the Realtors endorsed Altes.
• In the House District 64 GOP primary race between Fort Smith City Director Gary Campbell and Rep. Stephanie Malone, the Realtors endorsed Malone.
• In the House District 67 race between Rep. Steve Breedlove, D-Greenwood, and Republican Gary Stubblefield, the Realtors endorsed Breedlove.
• In the Senate District 6 race between Republican Bruce Holland and Rep. John Paul Wells, D-Paris, the Realtors endorsed Wells. The seat is now held by Sen. Ed Wilkinson, D-Greenwood, who is term limited.

The ARA also has made several statewide endorsements, according to ARA spokesman Ethan Nobles.
• In the gubernatorial race, the ARA endorsed Gov. Mike Beebe over Republican Jim Keet.
• In the Lt. Gov. race, the ARA endorsed Broadway over Republicans Donnie Copeland and Mark Darr.
• In the Land Commissioner race, the ARA endorsed Jonesboro-area Realtor and Democrat L.J. Bryant over Democrats Mike Berg (a Realtor) and Rep. Monty Davenport, and Republican John Thurston.
• The ARA also endorsed U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., in the primary and general election.
• The ARA endorsed Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, a Democrat who runs unopposed.

Nobles said officials with the ARA PACs — which are not directly affiliated with the Arkansas Realtors Association — decided to issue endorsements in Arkansas’ four Congressional districts after the May 18 primary election.