Candidates Campaign From Red Wolf Boulevard To Main Street Weiner

It was a busy weekend for statewide and local political candidates as they traveled throughout Northeast Arkansas meeting with voters from Red Wolf Stadium to the rural community of Weiner.

The two major party candidates for Lt. Governor – Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, and Democrat John Burkhalter of Little Rock – campaigned in Jonesboro on Saturday.

Griffin and Burkhalter, who are joined by Libertarian Christopher Olson of Leslie on the ballot, met with voters at the Arkansas State University tailgate party Saturday afternoon and evening.

Burkhalter said events like the tailgate party give him an opportunity to learn about local issues.

“I have been in this race for over a year. You get a chance to meet people and they get to share their concerns,” Burkhalter said.

Griffin, who also attended the Poinsett County Lincoln Day dinner Saturday night, said the Republican message has been well-received in Northeast Arkansas.

“There has been a lot of growth (politically) here. The reddest, most excited part of the state is here,” Griffin said. “I have been up here a lot. I have been to Poinsett County two or three times and Jonesboro several times. You won’t find a more vibrant group of conservatives anywhere in the state.”

As for policy, both candidates said they would like to work on economic issues if elected in November.

“It is about a 20-year politician versus a man who struggled to start a business,” Burkhalter said. “As for business, we are not just competing against other states, but we are competing against the world.”

Griffin said he would like to work on reforming the state’s tax code, regulatory system and tort reform by creating a more business-friendly environment, as well as a six-month top-to-bottom review of state government to find out what is working and what is not working.

“We are the party of reform and change,” Griffin said of the GOP. “There was a study out there that showed Arkansas 47th in job creation, with Mississippi 46th. For me, that is completely unacceptable. I want my four-year-old and seven-year-old to live in a state where they can accomplish anything and not have to move to another state unless they absolutely want to.”

Burkhalter said his experience in business and work as a board member for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission gives him the edge.

“I have said the cornerstone of my campaign is ‘not a politician, but a small business owner,’” Burkhalter said.

Griffin used an example of a cake when describing incentive money used to attract businesses to the state.

“I believe incentives are important, but they are only one tool we can use. If incentives are the only thing that is used, we will never attract jobs,” Griffin said, noting he believes the money is often focused on businesses coming to the state and less on existing companies. “Other states have sweeteners as well. Suppose it is like a cake. The incentives are the icing. But the better a cake tastes, the less icing you need.”

CANDIDATE FORUM
At least a dozen state, county and local candidates spent Sunday at Weiner, talking to voters during a candidate forum.

The two candidates for state House District 52 – Republican Dwight Tosh and Democrat Radius Baker, both of Jonesboro – spoke during the event at the Weiner Senior Center.

Tosh, who has a security and investigation business, said he would like to work on regulations and energy policy if elected.

“The courts have unchained the EPA. They have given them a lot of authority,” Tosh said of the new policies. “The energy, it would have an impact on the power plant at Newark and have an impact on lower income residents. There may be people who have to choose between paying their light bill versus putting food on the table.”

Baker, a former superintendent at Valley View School District, said he would like to expand the state’s Pre-K program and work on education issues if elected.

He said when he was growing up, he had nine other siblings who battled each day to get to the dinner table.

“I will tell you that I will work as hard as state representative as I did getting around that dinner table,” Baker said.

The group also heard from Republican Ron Allison and Democrat Bob Cantrell, who are running for Poinsett County Judge as well as Democrat Joshua Bradley and Republican Teresa Rouse, who are running for Poinsett County Clerk.