Republican Party of Arkansas Reviewing Status of Employee Linked To Petrino

On the heels of news involving a Republican Party of Arkansas employee sending hundreds of text messages to former Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino, the state GOP said today they are reviewing part-time employee Alison Melder’s employment status.

“Ms. Melder has been a part-time employee since January 2011. Any communications which occurred were outside of her employment. Her employment status is under review,” said Arkansas GOP spokesperson Katherine Vasilos.

Melder was revealed in an online article from Deadspin.com to have been involved in more than 200 text message exchanges with Petrino, including sending pictures to him.

The nature of the relationship between Petrino and Melder, as well as the pictures and the messages exchanged have not been disclosed.

Melder, 26, has worked for the Senate Republican caucus in Little Rock. She also has held a position in the Young Republicans organization as a national committeewoman representative and served on the Jim Keet for Governor campaign. Keet was the GOP nominee for Governor in 2010.