Author: Jason Tolbert

Jason Tolbert

Tolbert: Dianne Curry’s ‘Shameful’ Attack On Mark Darr

I have a feeling Dianne Curry’s campaign for Lt. Governor is going to supply us with a steady stream of material. Today, she took aim at incumbent Lt. Governor Mark…

Tolbert: Asa Hutchinson Receives Support From Key Republican Legislators

An invitation went out this week for a fundraiser for Asa Huthinson for Governor. The event hosts had a list of some of the top Republican state legislators indicating early…

Tolbert: Insurance Commissioner Defends State Funds For Planned Parenthood

In case you missed it this week, there was some push back from state legislators when they found out the Arkansas Insurance Department planned to use Planned Parenthood to help…

Tolbert: Asa Hutchinson Comments On NSA Program

I spoke with Asa Hutchinson this week for my column in Stephens Media today. As the former Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, he had some interesting comments…

Tolbert: Sen. Pryor Receives Praise At Southern Baptist Convention Meeting

Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor received some hefty praise today from a source you might not expect – from the platform of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. During…

Tolbert: Pryor Lashes Out At An Arkansas Business Owner

It is amazing to watch the wheels fall off Sen. Mark Pryor’s re-election campaign before it really even gets started. I am not sure if the barrage of attacks from…

Tolbert: Sen. Rapert Not Running For Lt. Governor, Seeking Re-election Instead

Scratch one off the list of potential Republican candidates for Lt. Governor in 2014. State Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway tells me today that he has decided to stay put…

Tolbert: Republican Legislators Dispute Pryor’s Remarks on Obamacare

In case you missed it, Sen. Mark Pryor tried to grab a life raft today when asked about his position on Obamacare on Capitol View. Roby Brock asked Pryor if…

Tolbert: Pryor’s Weak, Confusing TV Ad

Sen. Mark Pryor released his first campaign ad this week in response to around $700,000 of spending by a group on the right – saying he votes with Obama 95%…

Tolbert: Recent Governor Appointees Contribute $30,000 To Pryor For Senate

In case you missed it overshadowed by the Martha Shoffner saga, the Arkansas Democratic Gazette had a nice nugget in an article a couple of weeks ago on the Arkansas…

Tolbert: My Lunch With Jonathan Runnells

Great article by Rob Moritz for a nice read on a slow news day about the retirement of Jonathan Runnells from the Secretary of State’s office. He is the guy…

Democratic Rep. Nate Steel Eyes Attorney General Race

Several notable Democrats have briefly considered then backed off running for Attorney General next year when Dustin McDaniel leaves due to term limits. Sen. Robert Thompson considered running before bowing…

Democrats Try To Re-write History On Shoffner

It was an amusing day on Twitter as Democratic Party of Arkansas spokesperson Candace Martin attempted to re-write history on an award given to Martha Shoffner in 2010 as their…

Rothenberg Moves Arkansas Senate Race To ‘Toss-Up’

The Rothenberg Political Report moved their rating for a half-dozen U.S. Senate races with a shift in the Republican direction based on the swirling scandals in Washington, D.C. Included in…

Sen. Pryor Politicizes Oklahoma Tornado Tragedy

Normally politicians are quick to put aside politics when a tragedy strikes, but Sen. Mark Pryor took the opportunity to try score some points. His seemingly tame statement is a…

Tolbert: Why Shoffner Should Be Impeached Immediately

I will not rehash the case against Martha Shoffner here. You can read Talk Business’ extensive coverage at this link. Obviously, Shoffner is innocent until proven guilty as everyone is,…

State Treasurer Martha Shoffner Arrested By FBI (UPDATED)

Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Shoffner (D) was arrested by the FBI on Saturday and will be charged with extortion under federal law. What activities are at the center of her arrest and what could happen next?

Griffin Says IRS Report ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’; Pryor Dinged For Taking IRS PAC Money

A couple of Arkansas angles today on the IRS story from both ends of the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Tim Griffin joined in the grilling of outgoing acting IRS Commissioner Steve…

Carter’s Top Ten Reasons Why He Is Not Running For Governor

On Friday, Republican House Speaker Davy Carter delivered a light-hearted speech at the central Arkansas Political Animals Club that also tackled a few issues that he felt were important for…

Rep. Hammer Joins House Speaker’s Race

Republican State Rep. Kim Hammer of Benton announced today on his representative Facebook page that he plans to run for Speaker of the House in the next legislative session. “Today,…