Democratic fundraiser sparks controversy

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, and Jason Tolbert wrote this report. Brock can be reached at [email protected]

Sen. Larry Teague, D-Nashville, is busy gearing up for his re-election next year in a south Arkansas district that is increasingly trending conservative. As the incoming Senate President Pro Temp in the 2013 General Assembly, Teague is carefully reaching out for support on both sides of the aisle.

However, at least one of his Republican colleagues says his name was used without his permission in a recent fundraiser invitation.

An invitation to a money-raising event in Little Rock next week for his re-election campaign included the names of all his Senate colleagues (a story first reported by the Arkansas Times), including Sens. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, and Ruth Whitaker, R-Cedarville.

However, the inclusion of the 15 Senate Republicans is raising some eyebrows as to why they would support Teague without yet knowing if he will have a Republican opponent.

"With the current minority/majority make of the Senate, I am supportive of Sen. Teague as the next president pro temp. My listing as a host is only a show of that specific support," explained Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, who gave Teague permission to use his name.

Teague was elected pro temp designate over Sen. Robert Thompson, D-Paragould, in what most believe was largely due to the support of the Republican minority.

"I have not and will not be contributing to his re-election campaign. We have a good relationship that has always risen above partisan politics. If Sen. Teague and I are both re-elected to represent our respective districts, then I anticipate that our positive relationship will carry forward into the next session," said Dismang.

Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, said Teague called her and asked if she would join his fundraising invitation.

"I gave permission for my name to be used," she said Thursday afternoon. "This was billed as a bipartisan event."

But Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow, insists he did not give permission for his name.  The response came from questions asked him on his Facebook account from some of his supporters.

"I was not asked by anyone to use my name before it appeared on an invitation for a legislative colleague of mine. I have not given any money to that person (Teague) nor any Democrat candidate. I am a proud conservative Republican," wrote Rapert. "Sen. Teague and I have spoken, and he apologized for the oversight."

Rapert also offered strong words to those criticizing him without speaking with him first.

"I cannot chase down rumors. My time is best spent serving my constituents, fighting to return our nation back to Almighty God and taking the stands that most politicians shrink away from. Remember who your friends are in the battle for conservatism. Anyone that turns against a brother or sister in the fight to save our nation plays right into the hands of liberals who are leading us down a road to Hell," wrote Rapert.

Teague tells Talk Business he has apologized to Rapert for any miscommunication.

"If I made a mistake, I apologize," he said. "I didn’t mean to put anybody on the list that didn’t want to be."