Freshman Lawmaker Learning the Ropes

Real estate investor Bart Hester is a freshman lawmaker at the 89th General Assembly in Little Rock, representing the state’s newly created first district, which includes about 83,000 residents in central Benton County and parts of Washington County.

The Cave Springs Republican won his seat last spring when he defeated two-term state representative Tim Summers in the primary, 53 percent to 47 percent. It was Hester’s first run for political office, and he did not face a Democratic challenger in November.

During a recent break from the Legislature, Hester, 35, sat down for a Q-and-A with the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

The Green Forest native talked about the hot-button issues being debated at the state Capitol, partisanship among Republicans and Democrats, and getting to know new colleagues in the Senate.

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal: What sparked your interest in seeking political office?

Bart Hester: I just saw the country moving in a direction that didn’t align with my beliefs. I knew that I wasn’t somebody that was going to make an impact on a national level, but I knew I could make an impact on a local level and a state level. I just made a commitment a couple of years before the election that the next time around I’m going to run and see what I can do to ensure that the type of community that I was raised in, that my children will have that same opportunity.

NWABJ: And what was your family’s reaction when you first told them of your plans to run for office?

BH: It was about like anyone’s. They said, “Why would you want to do that? Why subject yourself to everything that comes with that?”

Ultimately, everyone ended up supporting me when I told them I just felt like it’s something I’m supposed to do and I feel like I can make a difference. And I feel like I am.

NWABJ: Share with us your perspective on life as a freshman lawmaker in Little Rock.

BH: The No. 1 thing I’ve learned from being down in Little Rock is an appreciation for our forefathers and the system they set up for governing. It is not an easy process to change a law. Just an appreciation for every man that sits next to you. There are 35 senators and 35 of us believe differently on different issues. I just think it’s a great system that I appreciate, and it represents the people well.

NWABJ: How are you getting along with your colleagues?

BH: Well, by nature, I’m a get-along type of person. I get along with everyone that I am dealing with at this point. And I found something else that gets my attention is, you know, we can have a debate — and the only way I can describe it would be heated — over a vote. We’re on polar-opposite ends, and as soon as it’s over, we go to lunch together. I think that’s how it should be. That can only happen out of respect. We respect each other and each other’s position. But I’ve got to represent the people I represent and they’ve got to represent the people they’ve got to represent.

NWABJ: How would you characterize the mood of the session so far? There’s been some criticism that the session is focused solely on guns and abortion and not enough on other issues. How do you respond to that?

BH: I feel like the overall mood is positive. We’ve certainly had a change in the majority now shifting to Republicans, and I get a lot of heat that we’re not going to work on anything but guns and anti-abortion laws. That’s the feeling that that’s all we’re working on, but the reality is only 2 percent of laws and bills that we’ve ran have involved guns or abortion. So, I think the social issues, possibly because of the media or that’s the stuff that gets people’s emotions rolling, it feels like that’s consuming the session. But the reality is it’s not.

NWABJ: From your perspective, how do you feel the Democrats have been toward the new majority? Have they been willing to talk, willing to cooperate?

BH: I think there certainly is. I know their leadership and I know our leadership makes it a point for all of us to understand that everyone should have a seat at the table and everyone’s voice should be heard. It wasn’t very long ago that we [Republicans] were the minority party. Over the last two or three sessions, the majority party of the Democrats have given the Republicans some more opportunities. For instance, to be chair of a committee or things like that, where in the past that hasn’t been the case. Our leadership pushes the issue of making sure everyone has a say, but don’t lose sight that our agenda is what we intend to pass.

NWABJ: When you headed to Little Rock for the session, what legislation or issues were you most interested in seeing addressed?

BH: Certainly, I wanted to pass some abortion protection. That’s important to the people of Arkansas and I knew that’s something we were going to get passed and we have done that. The second thing is our tax dollars being spent responsibly. Even when it seems like a little amount of money to our budget, it’s a very big deal to me and I want to make sure every penny is being spent responsibly.

NWABJ: Your Senate Bill 52, which gives families of murder victims the chance to witness the execution of a person convicted of the crime, was passed. Explain the importance of that legislation.

BH: That’s important because it’s important to a constituent of mine.  They had a child that was the victim in a capital punishment case. This was a mother that feels like she wants to be there to represent her daughter when the condemned is executed. A lot of states around us already allow that, and out of respect to her as a constituent, if I can help her and it’s important to her, I want to do that.

NWABJ: You were the Senate sponsor of state Rep. Andy Mayberry’s bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks. Some critics say it will be challenged legally. Why do you believe the bill is constitutional?

BH: Because there are seven states that already hold the bill or a bill similar to this. The bill in Arizona stood up in federal court and it’s not being changed. It’s not being challenged in Nebraska. Will it be challenged in Arkansas? It likely will. But we’re talking about viability. When a doctor has to numb the child to do surgery in the mother’s womb at this point, I think it’s reasonable that the child is formed enough that we ought to protect it.

NWABJ: And the biggest issue facing lawmakers is whether to expand the eligibility requirement for Medicaid, under the new federal health care law. Gov. Mike Beebe has said he is in favor of expansion, which would add about 250,000 residents to the Medicaid rolls. Are you sold on the idea?

BH: I am not sold on the idea and the people of Arkansas are not sold on that idea. Here’s where it gets really clear. Republicans that ran in the general election, virtually every one ran saying I am going to fight this issue. But you did not find one Democrat who ran saying I’m going to expand Medicaid. And that’s because the people of Arkansas don’t want it. The people of Arkansas understand you can’t add 250,000 people to the rolls when Arkansas can’t afford it and the federal government certainly can’t afford it. The intent of the law is good, but when you can’t pay for it, it’s not fair to anyone involved.

NWABJ: When it comes to getting to know the other lawmakers, especially Democrats, do you think there’s enough opportunity there to actually get to know each other, because the thinking goes, when you do, it’s easier to make deals, there’s less demonizing of the other side. What’s the climate like for that right now? 

BH: The best way to do that, as with any relationship, is time. I make it a point to spend time with all of my colleagues, Democrat and Republican. You’re working a lot, but times are revolved around meals. We have a breakfast, lunch and dinner, but they are all long. You go somewhere and sit down for a long lunch or dinner for two or three hours and it’s whom you choose to go to those with and get to know and learn about them and what issues are important to them. I make it a point to read about my colleagues and where they’re from and what bills are important to them. And just spend time with them.

NWABJ: What accomplishment from the session would you say you are most proud of?

BH: I feel like I have gained a rapport with all my colleagues. I’m certainly viewed as very conservative, but I feel like I have a friendship with all of them. Certainly I have passed a couple of laws, and that is very fulfilling.

NWABJ: And besides being a lawmaker, you do have a civilian job?

BH: I do. I work in the real estate industry. I’m a licensed contractor and real estate agent and just an overall investor in real estate.

NWABJ: In regards to that personal workload, how are you balancing those two?

BH: Well, fortunately, I had six months knowing that I was heading to Little Rock. Anytime an issue came up, I would ask myself how I was going to deal with this once I am in Little Rock. I was able to pass off a majority of my responsibilities for a temporary time here until we get out of session, and then I’ll pick right back up.