Notes from the Campaign Trail: Rep. Clarke Tucker may be eyeing Second District Congressional race

State Rep. Clarke Tucker may be evaluating a potential run for the Second District Congressional seat. The Little Rock Democrat was mentioned prominently in a poll conducted last week.

The survey asked about a possible U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, versus Clarke Tucker head-to-head race. No other match-ups were tested.

It also quizzed participants on several other questions, including:

• Are you more or less likely to vote Republican or Democrat?
• Do you approve or disapprove of President Donald Trump?
• Do you approve or disapprove of Rep. French Hill?
• Who did you vote for in the last election?
• Would you be more or less likely to vote for a different party in this election?

A representative for Tucker declined to comment about the poll. Another source tells Talk Business & Politics that it’s simply a step in the process to even consider a possible run — nothing definitive.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is active in the Second District seat as representatives of the DCCC have reached out to media members in central Arkansas. There are two other announced Democrats for the Second District seat: Paul Spencer and Gwen Combs. Combs will be a guest on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics.

SEALED INDICTMENTS UNLIKELY RELATED TO LEGISLATURE

There was some stirring of interest in recent weeks when it was revealed that a total of 25 sealed indictments were on file in the Eastern and Western district courts of Arkansas. The federal filings were first reported by radio show host Paul Harrell and subsequently The Arkansas Times noted them.

Speculation percolated that they could be tied to the FBI’s long-running, but recently ramped up investigation into the state legislature. Former State Senator Jon Woods, R-Springdale, and former State Rep. Micah Neal, R-Springdale, are already entangled in a kickback scheme involving General Improvement Funds (GIF). Neal pleaded guilty to charges and Woods is awaiting trial.

State Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, has not been charged with anything, but there has been copious reporting on financial troubles with his former business that includes the use of state funds for a local project from which he may have benefitted financially.

The number of sealed indictments has grown. There are now 15 in the Eastern district and 27 in the Western district. However, there are also similar sealed indictments in the adjacent Eastern district of Texas (30) and adjacent Eastern district of Oklahoma (8). There are no sealed indictments in the Western district of Tennessee.

Federal sources tell Talk Business & Politics that the sealed indictments are unlikely tied to the Arkansas legislative inquiry, especially as they cross state lines. One source suggests that there are not 25 targets that are being examined in legislative circles. The sealed indictments are not unusual for a potential drug or conspiratorial crime ring. With the Oklahoma and Texas jurisdictions adjacent to the two Arkansas federal districts showing similar sealed indictments, this lends credibility to the theory that they are part of a regional drug sting operation.

However, the FBI has been making phone calls to Arkansas lobbyists and check writers regarding past campaign contributions. The calls are coming with lines of inquiry about why the checks were written, what was the intent, and was there any notable misuse of the funds beyond campaign purposes.

THE LIST, PERHAPS A DEMOCRAT FOR GOVERNOR

An update of “The List” finds just a small number of new additions from our last effort. New candidates include:

• Commissioner of State Lands – Larry Williams, Democrat
• Senate District 5 – Sen. Bryan King, Republican (not running for re-election)
• House District 92 – Rep. Kim Hendren, Republican (not running for re-election)
• House District 92 – Chris Birch, Democrat
• House District 92 – Gayla Hendren McKenzie, Republican

Word on the street is that this coming Tuesday, December 12, there may be plans for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate announcement. Stay tuned.

POLITICAL ANIMALS CLUB FEATURES BRUMMETT, REX & GWEN

The Political Animals Club of Little Rock meets Tuesday, December 12 during lunch at the Union Station’s Next Level Events. This month’s meeting is a look back at 2017 and a look forward to 2018.

John Brummett and Rex Nelson of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Business’ Gwen Moritz will be on a panel moderated by Talk Business & Politics’ Roby Brock. “What’s in the Water: A Look Back at 2017 and Looking Forward to 2018” will examine what this year’s politics signals for next year in Arkansas and nationally.

The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost of lunch and the program is $26 per person by credit or debit card. RSVP to Susan Edwards at [email protected].

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