Ladyman, Carroll Stress Experience For Open District 59 Seat

The two candidates who are running for State House district 59 are stressing their experience as reasons that voters should elect them in the fall.

Republican Jack Ladyman and Democrat Ron Carroll, both of Jonesboro, are seeking the open seat currently held by State Rep. Butch Wilkins, D-Bono.

Wilkins is term-limited and cannot seek another term in the state House. State House District 59 covers most of western Craighead County, including Bono and west Jonesboro.

Ladyman, who has worked as an engineer at Nordex in Jonesboro and at the old General Electric plant in Jonesboro, said his work experience has prepared him to serve in the state House.

He also said the six years he served as mayor in Elkins also gave him an opportunity to learn.

“When I became mayor in Elkins, our biggest problem was the water/sewer, we had about $100,000 in the bank and we were the third fastest growing city in the county,” Ladyman said. “When I resigned to go to work for Nordex, we had $1 million in the bank, a new fire station, a city hall and a water/sewer line.”

Carroll, who has served as the head athletic trainer at Arkansas State University, said his 39 years’ experience has helped him learn about budgeting, healthcare and people.

“I have served on the (state) Athletic Training Licensing Board for 20 years and have been the chairman for 20 years,” Carroll said. “I have worked with the insurance on student athletes as well as with insurance companies.”

Carroll, who is seeking his first political office, said he describes himself as a middle of the road to conservative Democrat.

“I plan to prove you can be a moderate or conservative Democrat in our state,” Carroll said. “I heard Mike Ross (Democrat gubernatorial candidate) say at the (Jefferson-Jackson) dinner that he was not running as a Democrat or Republican, but running as an independent working on behalf of this state.”

Ladyman said while the state has many things going for it, there are some issues that face the state head-on.

“Water is the most abundant natural resource. We have an overabundance of it (here). We have oil, natural gas, lumber and the best agricultural land in the world. Our farmers can go to the market. We have a diamond mine and a good labor market. With all of that, why are we in the bottom 10 of everything?” Ladyman said. “We are not in the top 10 because of leadership.”

Carroll said he would stress education, especially early education, pre-kindergarten and workforce training.

Ladyman said he would also like to see a comprehensive energy program on the federal, state and local level.

“We need to be energy independent. I am not opposed to any kind,” Ladyman said. “It does not matter if it is air, solar, oil or coal. But it should be done on the merits.”

Carroll also said he would also stress the weighing of needs and priorities before looking at an issue financially.

“(On highways), you always hear ‘you want, you want, you want but there is only so much.’ You have to make sure you have the money,” Carroll said, noting projects like Arkansas 226 and the U.S. 63 bridge at Black Rock as examples. “You have to weigh the needs and priorities.”

Ladyman said he supports cutting taxes while also meeting needs.

“The more you let people keep of their own money, you will generate more (revenue). Anything you leave in the hands of the people, the better off you will be,” Ladyman said.

Carroll said he supports the idea of building from within.

“If you have jobs, you have to have infrastructure like healthcare, education and roads. There are some who believe a four-lane out of Jonesboro is more important than a four-lane to Little Rock,” Carroll said of the needs. “But with incentives, you have to be careful. Can you have your cake and eat it too?”

On the private option, Carroll said he supports the law’s objectives.

“The revenue that is going into the community is a big help. You are also willing to help people who are willing to work. It also helps rural hospitals,” Carroll said. “I have not heard all about it, but I would say it is a good thing for our state.”

As for the private option, Ladyman said he could not support it.

“I am not a fan at all. I need to learn more of the private option versus the Affordable Care Act. But I like to take a high-level view of it. It is about a buyer and a seller. The best situation for a patient and doctor is in a business relationship. If not, it will add cost and more red tape,” Ladyman said. “I am all for every person to have adequate healthcare treatment. But I don’t know if the private option is the right approach. And if you are self-employed, you can’t afford healthcare but you can’t afford the penalty.”