Notes from the Campaign Trail: Sarah Huckabee Sanders heading home for fundraiser; DCCC takes shot at French Hill

Talk Business & Politics has learned that Friday, Oct. 26, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be back in her native state for a GOP fundraiser. Sanders will be participating in her personal capacity, not in her official role.

The event is a fundraiser for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and will include Senator John Boozman. You may recall that Sanders was the campaign manager for Boozman’s 2010 Senate campaign.

Location details and specifics are still being worked out, but it will be an afternoon event in Little Rock, we’ve confirmed.

Bring your checkbook. The host committee cost is $10,000 per person and the chairman committee cost is $5,000 per couple. Arkansas doesn’t have a U.S. Senate race this year, but the money will add to the arsenal as national Republicans look to hold their slim 51-49 margin or gain seats in the upper chamber.

It’s closed press, so the most likely reporting will come from those in attendance and their social media feeds.

DCCC TAKES AIM
As we reported last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has made a major ad buy in central Arkansas as it plays in the Second District Congressional race.

The ad buy is roughly $275,000 over the next three weeks.

As expected, the ad is much more anti-Hill than it is pro-Clarke Tucker, which is usually how these ads unfold.

The DCCC ad suggests that Congressman Hill has changed since his come to Washington and touts the money he’s received from special interests and it dings him on his health care and tax cut votes as well as contributing to the national debt rising.

Hill’s campaign manager, John Grove, offered this rebuttal:

“When the D.C. Democrats’ recruited candidate is down with less than a month in the election and his message doesn’t align with Arkansas values, their only option is to attack a man who actually fights for Arkansas values by lowering taxes, fighting for smaller government, growing the economy, improving healthcare access while protecting pre-existing conditions, and strengthening our national defense. After Clarke Tucker was heard at a recent D.C. fundraiser selling himself as a ‘cheap date,’ it is no surprise D.C. Democrats are looking to buy this congressional seat. Only questions is – What did Clarke promise D.C. Democrats behind closed doors?”

That rebuttal led to this quote from Graham Senor, spokesperson for the Tucker campaign.

“The most consistent aspect of the Hill campaign is the prevailing use of misleading attacks and smear tactics about Clarke. If you’ve seen their latest TV ad, it’s clear they are the ones who are desperate. In the meantime, we’ll continue to highlight Clarke’s record delivering for Arkansas families and Congressman Hill’s failure to do so.”

You can watch the ad below.

DEBATES, POLLING & COURT RULINGS
This week, AETN is hosting debates between all four Congressional District competitors, as well as races for Arkansas Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.

Here is a link to the rundown schedule.

Over the next two weeks, Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College will roll out a series of polls on the Little Rock mayor’s race, Second Congressional District, Governor, Attorney General, and a few ballot issues – assuming they remain on the ballot.

Speaking of ballot issues, the Arkansas Supreme Court may come down with rulings on several of those ballot issues this week, possibly Thursday when the court issues its decisions. The fate of tort reform and casinos are likely to be decided, according to conventional wisdom and court watchers.

Minimum wage and term limits supporters and opponents had until this Monday to provide briefs to the court on their cases. General consensus is that the court may need another week to analyze those filings before making a final decision.

–––––––––––––––––––
Editor’s note: ‘Notes from the Campaign Trail’ is a compilation of various political insider tidbits. It is sponsored by Campbell Ward Consulting|Communications.