Republicans gather for a ‘Rally in the Valley’

 

About 175 Republicans from around Arkansas gathered Saturday night (Aug. 21) for a “Rally in the Valley — Repeal and Replace” dinner held as a fundraiser and to support local and statewide candidates.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Keet was the featured speaker. When Keet first entered the race the odds were well against him. However, a mid-July Talk Business poll showed Keet trailing Gov. Mike Beebe by 9 points.

Chase Duggar, executive director of the Arkansas Republican Party, fired up the crowd when he said internal polling found that all GOP candidates in Arkansas legislative races were ahead of their Democratic challengers.

The mood was somewhat somber with the announcement by Sebastian County Republican Party Chairman Rex Terry that the mother of U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, was “gravely ill.” Boozman, who is favored to win the U.S. Senate race against incumbent U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, canceled all his campaign events for the next few days to be with his mother, Terry explained.

Vicki Boozman, the wife of the late Faye Boozman and sister-in-law to Rep. Boozman, spoke in Boozman’s place. Vicki, who is handling Boozman’s grassroots campaign in the 3rd Congressional District, predicted a Boozman win in the Senate race.

“John’s going to win this. We have such a clear comparison of voting records,” she explained. “You’ve got Blanche Lincoln who voted for health care reform. You’ve got John who voted against it.”

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack urged the crowd to campaign hard through election day even when if the polls show big Republican leads. Womack faces Democratic challenger David Whitaker in the 3rd Congressional District race.

Also attending the event were Mark Darr, GOP candidate for Lt. Gov., and Rep. Mark Martin of Prairie Grove, candidate for Secretary of State.

Organizers of the rally and dinner hoped to raise up to $25,000 for the party and Republican candidates from ticket sales and a silent auction.