GOP Calls On Ethics Commissioner To Distance Himself From Tyler Campaign

GOP officials called on a newly appointed Arkansas Ethics Commissioner to distance himself from Rep. Linda Tyler’s (D-Conway) campaign.

The Republican Party of Arkansas said Commissioner Robert McCormack of Conway donated to Tyler’s campaign and had appeared in a photograph and in name as a supporter on her campaign web site.

Tyler is facing Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) for the District 35 State Senate seat.

“Today, we are asking that Mr. McCormack preserve the integrity of the Arkansas Ethics Commission and immediately withdraw his public endorsement of Rep. Linda Tyler,” said Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb.

Our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reports:

Commissioner Robert McCormack of Conway said later he would do “whatever it takes” to resolve the matter and comply with state laws.

State ethics laws prohibit Ethics Commission members from making contributions to, providing services, or lending his or her name in support of any candidate for election to a state, county, municipal or school board office.

McCormack, who Gov. Mike Beebe appointed to the Ethics Commission in January, acknowledged he has donated to Tyler’s Senate campaign. He said he would discontinue support for Tyler and would excuse himself from hearing any matter regarding her if it came before the ethics panel.

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