Hays, Hill Double Down On Political Ads

Democrat Pat Hays stayed with a theme to tie his GOP opponent French Hill to disgraced Democratic former State Treasurer Martha Shoffner, while Hill rolled out a new ad continuing his theme of being a “job creator.”

Hays’ new ad, titled “It’s Clear,” highlights a series of events that note Hill’s contributions to Shoffner’s campaign, an increase in state business for Hill’s bank, and Shoffner’s subsequent resignation.

Hill’s bank, Delta Trust & Bank, won the state business from Shoffner’s office through a competitive bid process, but the Hays ad does not mention that.

Noting that Delta Trust did not receive as much business from the Treasurer’s office after Shoffner’s resignation, the Hays ad concludes:

“It’s clear: French Hill gave money to Martha Shoffner, and she directed tax dollars to Hill’s bank.”

A similar ad was the subject of a conversation with Hays on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics. Hays defended the use of Shoffner in the ads as being factual.

Hill’s new ad, titled “My Dream,” highlights a Little Rock dentist that Hill helped mentor and whose small business he helped grow.

“We need a job creator in Washington, not another big government, career politician,” Hill says in the ad, in reference to Hays who served as North Little Rock mayor for 24 years.

Hill also picked up the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). On Tuesday, he held a press conference and received the endorsement of former Democratic State Senator John Riggs, president of Riggs CAT – a distributor of Caterpillar products in Arkansas.

“Health care costs keep climbing, our economy is not growing and the status quo in Washington is only making things worse,” said Hill.

You can view both TV ads below.