NEA Political Animals: L.J. Bryant And Andrea Allen

Editor’s note: This article, written by Bob Qualls, appears in the latest magazine edition of Talk Business & Politics, which you can read here.

It’s difficult to get Republicans and Democrats to agree on anything nowadays. But that’s not so in Northeast Arkansas, where there is an effort to restore dialogue and bipartisanship to political discourse.

This takes place at meetings of the Northeast Arkansas Political Animals, a club that is modeled after similar ones in Central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas. The original Political Animals Club in Little Rock was founded 30 years ago.

The NEA Political Animals held its inaugural meeting last September and has had successful turnouts for its meetings – most are sellouts. It meets at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce 10 times a year. The Jonesboro Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee has partnered with the organization from the beginning.

Andrea Allen, deputy chief of staff for Republican Congressman Rick Crawford, and L. J. Bryant, a local business owner and former Democratic political candidate, founded the NEA club.

Allen said it all began when she and Bryant met at a political event in Weiner – home to an annual rice festival. They became friends and shared an interest in politics. “It’s my passion,” Allen said.

Bryant’s wife, Rebekah, works with Allen in Crawford’s First District office in Jonesboro. And yes, Rebekah is a Republican, too, so bipartisanship is a must in the Bryant household.

Allen explained the idea behind the formation of the NEA Political Animals. She said because of all the partisanship, especially in Washington, she and Bryant saw the need for a way to bring everyone together where they can talk about politics and bring candidates and officeholders to speak to both sides of the political spectrum.

“As L. J. and I got to know each other,” she said, “we found that we agreed on a lot of things.”

So the idea of the NEA Political Animals was born. They sought advice from members of the Political Animals Club in Little Rock before launching the NEA club last year. Former Congressman Asa Hutchinson, the first guest, spoke at the September meeting. Allen had worked for Hutchinson in 2005 when he ran for governor the first time.

Since then, they have had numerous political candidates speak to the group and answer questions from the audience. They have hosted candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and Congress.

“Voter education is a key component,” Allen said.

Bryant agreed, pointing out that political campaigns today use television ads and social media to reach voters. “Our meetings give voters a chance to meet candidates face-to-face again,” he said.

When the club was launched last year, Allen said, “we wanted to provide a bipartisan opportunity for voters in Northeast Arkansas to network, discuss politics and issues, and question candidates.”

“In today’s social media, we do not have enough face-to-face interactions with our elected officials,” Bryant added. “We seek to solve that.”

He said they have a core group of 40 to 50 who attend the meetings, and they often exceed that number when the guest speakers attract a full house. The meeting room at the Jonesboro Chamber holds about 70 people. They meet at noon, usually on Friday, and attract local business people and local candidates and officeholders. Attendees have included people from Batesville, Paragould, Walnut Ridge and other cities across the region.

Allen said they have received good coverage from the news media. Reporters from the Jonesboro Sun, radio station KASU and television station KAIT frequently cover the meetings.

She also praised the partnership with the Jonesboro Regional Chamber and Cari White, its chief operating officer, for helping launch the organization.

While the club has hosted an impressive list of candidates, both from the region and statewide, Allen said, “We’ve got a lot to do before the general election in November.”

For one thing, the club wants to host a debate by the candidates for the U.S. Senate – Sen. Mark Pryor, the Democratic incumbent, and his Republican challenger, Congressman Tom Cotton. Cotton has agreed to a debate but Pryor has not committed. For this one, the group would require a larger venue, probably at Arkansas State University, and it would be held in the evening. Allen said KAIT-TV has agreed to televise the debate.

They also hope to host the candidates for attorney general and lieutenant governor at one time. “It will give voters a chance to get familiar with the candidates,” Allen said.

Bryant grew up in Grubbs and Weiner and attended Hendrix College. He worked for former state Sen. Jack Critcher. Bryant has made two unsuccessful runs for office himself. He ran for land commissioner in 2010 and for the state House of Representatives in 2012. He and Rebekah have been married about a year. He owns the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Jonesboro and he also works in real estate.

Allen, a native of Lawrence County, graduated from Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge and ASU. In addition to working for Asa Hutchinson, she also worked for his brother, former Sen. Tim Hutchinson.

What lies ahead for the club? Allen would like to see more debates. “It would be fun, and provide a public service,” she said.

Bryant said they had considered several possibilities, including doing polling. “Andrea and I work well together,” he said.

Both believe the next election may be swayed by Northeast Arkansas voters. That means it will be an exciting time for the club in the coming months.

But don’t think that their camaraderie could change their perspectives on November’s election outcomes.

“Republicans will be more successful in November because of the desire and enthusiasm to undo the harmful policies of President Obama,” Allen said.

“Democrats will be more successful this November not just because they want it, but because they connect with voters’ traditional Arkansas roots and values,” said Bryant.