Altes campaigns for Glidewell in state Senate race

“Hi, I’m Denny Altes. I’m calling today to encourage you to support my friend Frank Glidewell as your next state Senator.”

So begins the robo-call being sent to the home phones of potential voters in the Fort Smith area as part of Glidewell’s campaign to defeat Jake Files in the June 8 GOP primary runoff. Altes says in the call that Glidewell’s opponents are “attacking (Glidewell’s) character,” and ends with a note to “support my choice” of Frank Glidewell.

Files, Glidewell and Jim Medley faced each other in the GOP primary for the Arkansas Senate District 13 seat. Files unofficially ended the primary election with 2,553 votes (39.81%), Glidewell ended with 2,391 votes (37.28%), and Medley with 1,469 votes (22.91%). Medley has since endorsed Files, and is asking his supporters to get behind Files in the runoff. The winner of the runoff will capture the seat because no Democrat is on the ballot.

The runoff race has been somewhat testy, with two debates held June 1 bringing political differences and conflict to the forefront.

Sen. Altes’ entry into the race between Files and Glidewell is not a surprise to Files and Medley, but does appear to violate a promise of neutrality. (The City Wire made several attempts to seek comment from Sen. Altes. If he responds, we’ll update this story.)

The District 13 Senate seat is now held by Altes. He is term limited, and recently defeated J.R. Dallas in the GOP primary for the Arkansas House District 63 (Fort Smith) seat. The District 63 seat is now held by Glidewell, who is term limited.

The relationship between Altes and Glidewell was first criticized by Medley in early October 2009 after Altes introduced Glidewell as his guest during an Oct. 7 Fort Smith Rotary Club meeting. Prior to the meeting, Altes and Glidewell had talked about swapping legislative seats at the end of their term limits. In the age of Arkansas term limits, the “swapping” of seats between House and Senate members is not unusual.

Files and Medley said they sought and received promises from Altes that he would remain neutral in the District 13 race.

“He had promised us that he would remain neutral. But apparently that is not the case. Quite frankly, I never totally believed his statements when he made them,” Medley said when called by The City Wire for comment.

Files also said he received a neutrality promise from Altes.

“We got the Robo-Call from Denny Altes last night as well, and I was disappointed in it. The reality is that this changes nothing. In fact, I think people are tired of the automated calls telling them who to vote for,” Files said in a statement. “I decided to run for this office because I believe we needed an effective voice for Fort Smith in the State Senate. … I have complete confidence in the voters to recognize what is best for the future of our Region.”

Medley pointed out a practical concern with Republicans endorsing other Republicans in primary elections.

“If there is a chance you’re going to serve with someone in the Legislature, it might be appropriate to hold off (issuing an endorsement). … It just seems that you wouldn’t want to endorse against someone and then you have to serve with them,” Medley explained.

Sebastian County Republican Party Chairman Rex Terry said Altes’ robo-call was “unusual,” but isn’t against the rules.

“As chairman of the party, I can’t take a position that publicly supports or endorses a candidate in a primary, but I don’t think that same rule applies to other candidates,” Terry said.

Terry believes the sometimes contentious moments in the GOP Legislative primaries in Sebastian County reflects the party’s growing pains. He said it’s no different than what has historically happened in Democratic primaries in other parts of the state.

“Overall, in the big scheme of things, this is a good thing for the Republican Party in this county,” Terry said. “When you have party growth and get enough people interested in running, that will create internecine warfare within the party from time to time.”