Rep. Smith To Seek Reelection, Roger Lynch To Run For House Seat

Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, announced earlier this week he will seek a second term in the Arkansas House. On Monday night, Smith announced his campaign for re-election in a room full of family and friends. Smith represents Arkansas House district 58, which is the heart of Jonesboro.

Attorney Nate Looney, a Democrat from Jonesboro, has also announced he is running for the seat.

At the campaign event, Jonesboro attorney Keith Chrestman introduced Smith, saying “the reason I am here tonight is because of what Brandt Smith did after he was elected, which was exactly what he said he would do.” In his first legislative session, Smith helped pass legislation that protected the life of unborn, defended gun rights, and reduced taxes.

He serves on the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs Committee, the Public Transportation Committee, and serves as an alternate on Legislative Joint Audit.

“During my time in the legislature I never flipped a coin to determine what I should do. Each vote was thought over and I did what I felt was right for Jonesboro,” Smith said. “I’ll continue to be honest about where I stand and I will continue to fight for our conservative values.”

Smith is a lifelong resident of Northeast Arkansas. He is a former missionary to East Asia and the Middle East. Smith has used his background and experience to serve our Nation’s military in the Department of Army Civilians, leading social science missions in Iraq.

He received his doctorate in organization and management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University in January 2011. He and his wife Gailia have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

LYNCH ANNOUNCES STATE HOUSE BID
A Lonoke County man also announced Monday he is running for a seat in the Arkansas House. Lonoke County Justice of the Peace Roger Lynch said he is a Republican candidate for State Representative District 14, a seat held by Rep. Camille Bennett, D-Lonoke.

District 14 includes parts of Arkansas, Jefferson, Lonoke, Prairie, and Pulaski Counties. Lynch has served on the Quorum Court since 2005.

“I want to use my courthouse experience to better serve our community in the legislature,” said Lynch. “We need someone in Little Rock who will work with the Governor’s office and other leaders to ensure our values are being represented and the real issues around our state are being addressed.”

Lynch said he is a pro-life conservative and is a supporter of gun rights. After 43 years, he retired as operations manager from the Remington Ammunition plant in Lonoke. He is owner and operator of Lynch HVACR LLC, specializing in residential heating and air conditioning.

“Arkansas has some big decisions headed our way when it comes to healthcare reform, highway funding and economic development. As State Representative, I will look for common sense solutions that are fiscally responsible for our future,” continued Lynch.

Lynch lives outside of Lonoke with his wife Shelia. They have two grown children who graduated from Lonoke High School.