Cook: Arkansas Republicans Have Their Share Of Scandal-Plagued Elected Officials

Since State Senator Paul Bookout’s ethical failings came to light, Arkansas Republicans have attempted to paint state Democrats as being scandal-plagued.

Their argument is Bookout, along with Martha Shoffner and Hudson Hallum, are indicative of core failings of Arkansas Democrats as a whole and voters will remember this come 2014.

That would be a valid argument, if only Arkansas Republican elected officials were devoid of scandals. But that is not the case.

Let’s review Arkansas Republicans who have made scandalous headlines in the past year or so.

Sheriff Bruce Pennington – The Saline County Sheriff was arrested in July for being drunker than Cooter Brown outside a Benton watering hole. Pennington even took a swing at the arresting officer. This week, Pennington pleaded guilty to public intoxication and resisting arrest. The fun irony is Saline County is a a “dry” county, but don’t tell the sheriff that.

Lt. Governor Mark Darr – Based on numerous reports it’s clear Darr used campaign funds for personal expenses such as purchasing “office supplies” at Dillard’s and Jos. A. Banks. The issue is currently before the Arkansas Ethics Commission, but no matter the outcome Darr is damaged goods politically. What Darr appears to have done has some striking similarities with Paul Bookout’s actions.

Senator Bruce “Highspeed” Holland – Holland led Perry County sheriff deputies on a 16-mile car chase endangering the lives of the law enforcement officials and the public. Holland at first offered up pitiful excuses for fleeing from the police, but eventually pleaded guilty. His actions and attitude toward the police were shameful.

State Rep. John Hutchison – Hutchinson used campaign funds during his 2012 election for personal expenditures, which is a violation of Arkansas law. Earlier this year, the Arkansas Ethics Commission fined him for breaking the law and issued him a Public Letter of Caution.

The Three Stooges – State Rep. Jon Hubbard, State Rep. Loy Mauch, and GOP candidate Charlie Fugua. – Remember these comedians? I don’t use this word lightly, but these three men took the time to write down their outlandish and racist beliefs for all the world to see.  As you recall, the Arkansas Republic Party never fully repudiated them since Republican leaders wanted these men to win in order in take over the State House.

I do not defend or minimize the actions of Bookout, Shoffner and Hallum. All three resigned in shame, unlike the Republicans listed above, and Shoffner and Hallum rightly ended up before a judge. At this time, we don’t know if a special prosecutor will file charges against Bookout.

My point is both political parties have their share of knuckleheads who engage in stupid and/or unethical activities.

If Arkansas Republicans bring up Democratic elected officials’ scandals, Arkansas Democrats can do the same with Republican scandals. At that point, it’s up to voters to make the final decision if one party is more scandal-plagued than the other.