First Congressional District Sees A Little Early-year Activity

Nobody is taking the gloves off yet, but there were some moves in the First Congressional District during the first full week of 2012.

Incumbent Rep. Rick Crawford (R) has scheduled an export roundtable discussion in Jonesboro for Thursday, Jan. 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The event will be held at Arkansas State University’s Delta Center for Economic Development.

Crawford’s office says the event will bring together policy and business leaders for expanding into new markets. In particular members of the Arkansas District EXport council and the Arkansas U.S. Export Assistance Center will talk about new trade opportunities with South Korea, Panama and Columbia. Former AEDC director Larry Walther, a Jonesboro native who now sits on the board of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, will deliver remarks before a business roundtable ensues.

Crawford’s two announced Democratic challengers also made new year’s moves.

Gary Latanich, an economics professor at ASU, launched his campaign web site. You can view it at this link. The web site offers Latanich’s topline positions on a few issues and offers some biographical information, such as his Air Force service in Vietnam, his education, faith and family background.

Rep. Clark Hall (D-Marvell) hired Forest Boles, a campaign veteran and one-time field director for Gov. Mike Beebe, as his campaign manager. Boles worked on the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, in addition to congressional and gubernatorial campaigns in Louisiana and Virginia. You can read more here.