Lt. Gov. Darr denies Holland endorsement

Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, recently told The City Wire he has been endorsed by Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr (R).

But Darr’s office has contacted The City Wire to say no such endorsement has been made.

"Lt. Governor Darr has enjoyed working with Sen. Holland in the Senate. However, the Lt. Governor will support whoever is the Republican nominee in District 9,” noted a statement from the office provided by Chris Powell, director of Government Relations & Constituent Services for Darr.

Holland noted his endorsements on April 5 when asked about the endorsement of his Republican primary opponent Rick Green by former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, R-Harrison.

“I’ve been endorsed by my Senate colleagues and the Lt. Gov. (Mark Darr),” Holland said on April 5. “I’ll run on my voting record and let him run on his.”

Holland and Green, a former State Representative who lives in Van Buren, are locked in a primary battle over the new Senate District 9 seat. Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, will face the primary winner in the November general election.

When informed of the email received from Darr’s offices on Monday stating the lieutenant governor had not officially endorsed anyone, but that he would support the winner of the District 9 Republican Primary, Holland said: “I can’t remember exactly what was said between Michael (Tilley, The City Wire president and managing editor) and I on the phone, but I feel Lieutenant Governor Darr has done a great job in his position, and he’s been supportive of me along with the caucus. In fact, two weeks ago, the lieutenant governor hosted a fundraiser for me, so he’s been a great source of support for my campaign.”

Sarah Beth Lowe, communications director for Darr, said the Lt. Gov. did attend and was “proud to attend fundraisers” for Green and Holland “and looks forward to serving with” the District 9 winner.