Three set sights on District 66 (Van Buren) House seat

A schoolteacher, an attorney and the Crawford County assessor have entered the Arkansas District 66 Representative race to fill the post left vacant by term-limited Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren.

Crawford County Assessor Dianna Faucher is the most recent candidate, and the only Democrat, to enter the fray. Faucher, 58, said her work in county government — she began working in the assessor’s office in 1985 and was elected to the office in 1997 — sets her apart from her two Republican opponents.

“I worked with our assessors’ association all through the years.” Faucher said. “We worked with legislators in Little Rock on bills we were trying to pass.”

She wants to secure more funding for Crawford County roads, historical preservation and the library, something she is confident she can do despite falling revenues and deep budget cuts.

Faucher graduated from Van Buren High School and has taken continuing education courses through the assessor’s office.

Republican Gary Deffenbaugh also wants to represent District 66, which covers the city of Van Buren and the town of Kibler. Deffenbaugh, 60, teaches math and coaches golf at Van Buren High School. He plans to retire at the end of the year. He used sports to explain his interest in the race.

“I was an armchair politician for a long time,” Deffenbaugh said. “You can sit in the bleachers or you can get in and try to do something.”

The Van Buren native, who graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, said he’s a conservative pro-life Christian who believes in less government. If elected, education would be one of his main concerns.

“I’m well-versed in the education system,” Deffenbaugh said. “There are more ways to get bang for your buck and affect students directly. … I think I could have an effect on that.”

He has no background in public service, something he said could be an asset. He describes himself as “everyman,” someone who will connect with those working hard to make ends meet.

Deffenbaugh’s Republican rival Van Buren attorney and Crawford County Justice of the Peace Kevin Holmes. He sees himself as a triple threat.

“I have legislative experience, the education, and the background as a small business owner,” Holmes said.

Holmes, 31, is not afraid to tackle the state’s troubled budget, either.

“I’ve worked on a legislative level in the county,” Holmes said. “I think that’s important, now more than ever, to have someone in there with a little background and understanding about the legislative process and what it’s like to come up with a budget. … I also think government should run like a business and not spend more than it brings in.”

Holmes attended Westark, which is now the University of Arkansas at Fort smith, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, then earned a law degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He is now a partner at Hopkins & Holmes, Attorneys at Law PLLC, in Van Buren.

He also has ties to several influential Republicans, having worked on campaigns for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former President George W. Bush. Holmes named his son Reagan after you know who.

The term-limited Green stopped short of endorsing either Republican candidate, saying he has given advice to both.

“I think the people can make their minds up without me getting involved,” Green said.

Green plans to rest his political muscles, but not for long. He has his sights set on the District 3 Arkansas Senate seat held by Sen. Ruth Whitaker, R-Cedarville. She will be term-limited when the term expires in 2012.

“I have been asked to run for the senate seat in my district,” Green said. “That won’t be open until 2012.”