Files-Glidewell debates end with a rant

The two debates held Tuesday (June 1) between Jake Files and Rep. Frank Glidewell were calm and almost predictable — until the last few minutes of the second debate during which Glidewell went after Files and the media.

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce held a Noon debate between Files and Glidewell at the Fort Smith Holiday Inn City Center. Progressive Arkansas then held a 7 p.m. debate at Second Street Live! (101 N. Second St., in downtown Fort Smith).

Files, Glidewell and Jim Medley faced each other in the GOP primary for the Arkansas Senate District 13 seat. Files unofficially ended the primary election with 2,553 votes (39.81%), Glidewell ended with 2,391 votes (37.28%), and Medley with 1,469 votes (22.91%). Files and Glidewell will face each other in a June 8 runoff election. Medley has since endorsed Files, and is asking his supporters to get behind Files in the runoff.

The winner of the runoff will capture the seat because no Democrat is on the ballot.

On the basic issues expected in a Republican debate, Files and Glidewell often were in agreement. They are for less government spending, limited government, less taxes and want to create a tax and incentive structure to make Arkansas more pro-business.

Glidewell did face a tough question from Paul Beran, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Earlier in the noon debate Glidewell said he has pushed many times for the state’s General Improvement Funds — a pool of money set aside during times of budget surpluses for legislators to divide up and spend in their respective districts — to be used only for highway funding. Beran reminded Glidewell that on many occasions UAFS received the funds to build or renovate campus buildings.

Glidewell quickly distanced himself from his earlier highway funding stance, saying his efforts to limit GIF was “just a dream” because the Legislature would never support the switch.

But the noon debate delivered edgy moments between the candidates around three basic issues:
• Glidewell suggested Files didn’t have the time or desire to spend the time in Little Rock it will take to be an effective state Senator.
• Files said Glidewell’s inability to pass meaningful legislation during his six years in the Arkansas House show his true political leadership skills.
• Glidewell fired back at Files and Medley for claiming he had collected excessive state reimbursements during 2009.

Questions about Glidewell’s non-salary compensation as a legislator in 2009 was first raised by Jim Medley during a May 13 debate with Jake Files. Medley said Glidewell’s per diem, mileage and expense reimbursements of more than $47,000 in 2009 were “pretty creative.”

Glidewell disputed the figures, saying the most he collected in per diem in 2009 was $11,787. Glidewell sent a statement to The City Wire suggesting Files and Medley owed him an apology. Glidewell supporters also challenged the media to get to the truth on the issue.

Research conducted by The City Wire shows Glidewell collected $48,271 in per diem, mileage and allowable expenses and reimbursements in 2009. Adding that to his salary, Glidewell’s total legislative compensation in 2009 was $63,971.

The Glidewell campaign then changed their approach, saying instead that such reimbursements come with the territory for legislators who spend a lot of time in Little Rock and around the state and committee meetings and hearings.

As to Files’ alleged lack of time or desire to serve as Senator, Glidewell reminded the audiences at both debates that Files backed out of a previous legislative race. Files acknowledged the change of plans, saying an unexpected job change forced him to decide between supporting his family and seeking political office. Glidewell wasn’t finished, however, and alleged that Files seeks the Senate seat only as a stepping stone to a bigger political career.

“Are you going to stay with this?” Glidewell asked Files at the noon debate, adding that “you just can’t quit” when having to work 15-30 hours a week on constituent requests becomes too much for a father with three young daughters. “It’s not a part-time job. … I don’t see how you can do this job and raise a family.”

Files denied any talk of seeking higher political office, saying his focus is on “going to Little Rock and making a difference” for Fort Smith.

Glidewell wasn’t finished. He returned during the evening debate to the reimbursement issue and Files’ alleged inability to raise a family and serve as a legislator. He even mocked Files’ comments about the need to build relationships with conservative Democrats to push conservative legislation.

“When conservatives compromise, liberals win,” Glidewell said in response to Files saying he would try to work with conservative Democrats.

Files fired back, saying Republicans “can lead with integrity, but still be effective.” Files also said he resented Glidewell’s assertion that a parent with children at home is automatically an ineffective legislator compared to a retiree.

But with his closing comments, Files seemed ready to end on a positive note. He said he and Glidewell were friends prior to the race and would be friends after the race. Files also noted that he would be the first to support Glidewell if he were to win, and believed Glidewell would feel likewise.

Files was wrong.

Glidewell used his closing comments to respond to the “character assassination” from Files, Medley and the media surrounding the reimbursement issue.

“I want to apologize for working too hard,” Glidewell said of receiving more than $48,000 in reimbursements for all the meetings he attended as a legislator.

He then reiterated his belief to the audience that Files was a quitter, that Files views the Senate race as an application for higher office and that if Files were to win, the “happiest people in the state” would be those in the Democratic Party. Glidewell attacked the media for allowing Files and Medley to make an issue of the 2009 reimbursements. In a likely reference to The City Wire, Glidewell said “the city blog” likes to run “unfounded” and “exaggerated” stories.

Files was calm after the odd last few minutes of the evening debate.

“We’re still going to be friends,” Files said when asked about Glidewell’s closing comments. “I don’t understand why Frank would make those claims. They are not true. … But the voters will make that decision.”

The runoff election is June 8. Early voting began June 1.