Election Central: Ross, Asa Have Competing Public Safety Plans
by July 15, 2014 6:04 pm 128 views
From the Election Central campaign trail, here are today’s political headlines captured in our daily brief. A new criminal justice plan, fundraising numbers, and a debut of TV advertising in Arkansas political races top today’s stories.
ROSS PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Ross – proposing a $10 million plan to address public safety by boosting funding for Arkansas’ domestic violence, child abuse and parole programs.
Ross’ proposal calls for a special court fee for convictions of certain abuse and domestic violence crimes to shore up a state fund for domestic violence shelters and law enforcement training.
He also proposed increasing funding for the State Police Crimes Against Children Division and hiring 200 additional probation and parole officers.
Republican nominee Asa Hutchinson in May detailed a series of public safety proposals, including revising a 2011 law aimed at curbing the state’s prison population.
Hutchinson’s plan calls for support for prison re-entry programs; technical and expert assistance in school security and safety; and increased funding for drug treatment courts.
FUNDRAISING NUMBERS
On the fundraising front, Asa Hutchinson raised nearly $250,000 in the second quarter, but Mike Ross raised $296,000. Still waiting to see those cash on hand numbers.
And a few other high-profile fundraising numbers: In the Second Congressional District race, Democrat Pat Hays raised $294,000. His Republican challenger French Hill raised $406,000. Fourth District Congressional Democrat James Lee Witt raised $320,000 in the quarter compared to Republican Bruce Westerman’s $206,000. Westerman raised a big chunk of his money after earning the GOP nomination in May. Tim Griffin, the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor announced he raised $89,000 in the quarter.
BURKHALTER TV AD
Griffin’s Democratic opponent John Burkhalter rolled out his first TV ad today. A relatively small media buy at this juncture, Burkhalter touting his business roots in the ad.