Tolbert: Democrats Host Fundraiser For Griffin

Republican Congressman Tim Griffin’s campaign for lieutenant governor is getting a boost next week from several well-known Democrats in Arkansas, including a former Democratic state legislator and a former Democratic officeholder’s chief of staff.

An invitation to a September 12th fundraiser made available to The Tolbert Report leaked the news of the support from across the aisle.

The fundraiser is set to take place at North Little Rock’s Rockwater Marina owned by real estate developers Lisa Ferrell and Jim Jackson who opened the marina last year. Ferrell served as a Democratic State Representative from 1995 to 1999. Ferrell and Jackson have both contributed to Democratic candidates over the years.

Bob Russell is also listed as a host for the event. Russell served as the chief of staff for Sen. Mark Pryor from 2003 to 2010.  Russell also served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General for Mark Pryor. Ironically perhaps, Russell’s wife – Amy Russell – was nominated by Pryor for the federal bench but her nomination was apparently torpedoed by the Obama White House presumably by the fact that she once donated to President Bush’s Presidential campaign.

Also on the host list is Lynne and Dr. Hayden Franks, who have contributed previously to Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s Senate campaign.

The bipartisan support is another indication that Griffin is likely to carry the ticket in November. An August poll from Public Policy Polling showed Griffin leading Democratic challenger John Burkhalter by nine points.