GOP Senate candidate clarifies statement about Hispanic, Latino communities

A Republican candidate for the new Arkansas Senate District 27 was criticized for comments she made about the Hispanic community during a candidate forum April 18. The newly drawn senate district includes Fort Smith and parts of Chaffee Crossing.

During the candidate forum, sponsored by the League of River Valley Voters and held at the Fort Smith Public Library, Republican candidates for the senate seat, Kelly Proctor-Pierce and Justin Boyd, were asked, “How has immigration impacted Arkansas, and what specific views do you have on this issue?”

Boyd said he believes the state’s education system has seen the biggest impact of immigration to the state from other countries, and the system needs to do all it can to help them adjust to life in the U.S.

Proctor-Pierce mentioned an anecdotal story of a Hispanic couple who had been in her office the week before and that in visiting with them, she was told that “the Hispanic or Latino community in Fort Smith is huge.”

“We know that they come often times from underprivileged circumstances. They have mental health issues. They have drug addictions. They have family problems. They have broken families, babies that are born out of wedlock. Those issues all have to be addressed,” Proctor-Pierce said. “Those all do spill over into education. So we have a pretty serious problem where immigrants have caused a drain on the educational system, the healthcare system, the criminal law system.”

She also said if proper resources, such as mental healthcare and social services, could be put in the hands of immigrants when they first arrived, it might be able to help alleviate some of the problems that come with them, such as “troubles” in the schools or legal system.

David Cruz, publicity/communications director of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), said in response to Proctor-Pierce’s comments that a political campaign should not put such a face on an entire population.

“This is a shallow attempt to gain votes in response to a valid question. She could have been describing a group of people in the Appalachians or the Ozarks,” Cruz said.

Cruz noted that the issues Proctor-Pierce referenced are not racial issues, but rather socio-economic issues that are often common among all groups living in lower economic conditions. He admonished the candidate’s use of such rhetoric to boost her appeal among her key group of followers, saying doing so was pure ignorance, the opposite of education.

“She would do well to educate herself because we can all benefit from education of our communities,” Cruz said. “We here at LULAC will be happy to provide her with information and statistics.”

Cruz said the people in the group she targeted make up a major portion of the working population and essential workers. He added that working together, not working to divide, is how to make this country great.

“To call them a drain on society is wrong,” he said. “Shame on her.”

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization in the country. LULAC is a volunteer-based organization that empowers Latinos and builds strong Latino communities.

Proctor-Pierce expanded on her statements Tuesday (April 26) with Talk Business & Politics, saying the focus needs to be on all those in the community in need of services that could be provided by the state if the budget is appropriately handled.

“What’s important is too many people in our community, which includes immigrants of Latino descent, are in need of services and those services can be provided,” she said. “Those services are met in part by state and local government. I am running to ensure better accountability that those services are provided to those in need.”

The winner of the District 27 GOP primary in May will face Democrat Rebecca Ward in the November general election.