Tolbert: Gun Rights Groups Endorse Clemmer And Sterling

A couple of Republican primary candidates picked up endorsements today from gun rights groups.  One of these candidates received the endorsement following a rather bizarre attack on the issue from his primary opponent.

Arkansas Carry PAC – a Second Amendment rights group within the state – endorsed attorney David Sterling in the three-way Republican primary for attorney general.

“David Sterling strongly supports the right to keep and bear arms in Arkansas through both his words and actions. David Sterling has sworn his backing for the Second Amendment since entering the race and has walked with many gun right advocates at Arkansas Carry Act 746 Constitutional Carry rallies across the state,” said the press release on the endorsement. “David Sterling also has the knowledge and experience needed to serve in the office of Attorney General of Arkansas. His attentiveness to the need for protection of our self-defense rights and laws has been made very clear.”

The endorsement follows a line of attack from primary opponent Leslie Rutledge during the debate sponsored by the Young Republicans of Arkansas on Saturday.  Sterling was unable to attend the debate due to family and church obligations.  Rutledge criticized Sterling for belonging to the American Bar Association, saying the organization was a “liberal organization.”  As evidence, she indicated that the group had supported gun control legislation and questioned why Sterling would belong to such an outfit.

“The American Bar Association is the largest professional organization of attorneys in the country and does a tremendous amount to advance the profession,” said Sterling in response.  “It is not a political organization. I recently chaired for three years a committee that focuses on providing young lawyers like Ms. Rutledge books and other training materials as they begin their private legal careers. An attorney belonging to the ABA is akin to a doctor belonging to the American Medical Association. Theodore Olson, former Solicitor General under George W. Bush and private counsel to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and many other conservative attorneys, including several Republican Attorneys General from other states, are members of the ABA.”

Sterling also pointed out that he is a member of conservative-leaning legal organizations including The Federalist Society, Republican National Lawyers Association, and Christian Legal Society.

I have asked Rutledge’s campaign for a clarification on her claims in the debate, but have not heard back.

Also today, State Rep. Ann Clemmer picked up the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in her bid for the Republican nomination for the Second Congressional District.

“There is no organization that voters trust more than the NRA to inform them on who will best defend their Second Amendment Rights. I am proud of my pro-gun record, and receiving the NRA endorsement is a true honor,” said Clemmer.

The NRA did not offer endorsements for either of her primary opponents – banker French Hill or veteran Col. Conrad Reynolds.

“French Hill is a life member of the NRA and is proud of his ‘A’ rating from the NRA,” responded Jack Session, spokesman for the Hill campaign, when asked about the endorsement.

The NRA typically makes endorsements based on legislative voting records over candidate questionnaires.  Since Clemmer is the only elected official in the race, this probably helped her earn the endorsement.

But in a Republican primary, endorsements from Second Amendment groups can certainly give a candidate a boost.