Tolbert: Rice Accuses Holland Of ‘Desperate Attacks’

There are several hotly-contested state legislative races around the state.  One of them over in the western Arkansas area around Fort Smith is a Republican primary race that pits incumbent Sen. Bruce Holland against challenger Rep. Terry Rice.  Both candidates are well-known within the district, so the race is much like a race between two incumbents.  The results of the primary could be close.

Today, Rice launched a new television ad that hit back at a prior ad from Holland.

“By now you have heard the desperate attacks by my opponent and his supporters. They are not afraid of me; they are afraid of you,” says Rice to start the ad before launching into an attack on Holland for being “the deciding voting to pass the implementation of Obamacare” – referring to his vote in the Senate for the private option which actually passed with one vote to spare during the 2013 session.

I asked Rice actually what he was referring to from Holland’s campaign.

“In an attempt to distract voters from his steadfast support of Obamacare in Arkansas, my opponent began airing ads that distort my record of tax-cuts. During my time in the legislature I have voted for more than 300 million dollars in tax cuts. The facts remain the same, I have a strong record of opposing Obamacare in Arkansas and supporting tax cuts for hard working Arkansans,” said Rice.

His campaign further referred me to this ad from Holland. In it, Holland touts his records on cutting taxes before saying – “Terry Rice is different. Terry Rice didn’t vote for the income tax cut. He didn’t vote for tax cuts that create jobs. Terry Rice even voted to tax the milk that you drink,” says the ad.

“Bruce Holland is opposed to Obamacare. He signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court asking that the law be overturned. To imply that Bruce has any other position on the issue is simply dishonest,” said Holland campaign spokesman Keith Emis. “Terry Rice has a record. It is open for all the public to see. He voted to raise taxes on fuel, timber, Internet purchases and milk. He voted against cutting income taxes and capital gains taxes.”

Holland and Rice are the only two candidates in the May 20 primary.  Since no Democrat filed, the winner will be the State Senator for District 9.