Talk Politics

Covering Arkansas Politics

Hurst Debuts TV Ad In Fourth District Race

Democratic Congressional candidate Q. Byrum Hurst debuted his first campaign ad of the primary season.

Beebe Defends Legislative Redistricting Boundaries

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) took the stand in a federal trial challenging the validity of the state’s redrawn Senate boundaries.

Attorney General McDaniel Announces Two Settlements With Abbott Labs

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced two separate settlements with Abbott Laboratories regarding allegations of illegal off-label marketing of its drug Depakote.

Secretary of State Takes Stand In Redistricting Trial

Secretary of State Mark Martin (R) was the first member of the Board of Apportionment to take the stand in an expected week-long trial challenging the legality of black majority voting districts.

Green Party Nominates Congressional Candidates, Others

The Green Party of Arkansas met this weekend and drafted a slate of candidates for office.

Baker Confirmed As U.S. District Court Judge

The U.S. Senate confirmed Obama nominee Kristine Baker of Little Rock to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Brawner: State Politics Reaches Tipping Point

Arkansas News Bureau columnist Steve Brawner opines in his latest column on the big political battles brewing in state this year.

Pryor, Beebe Tout Arkansas Role In Energy Independence

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and Gov. Mike Beebe touted Arkansas’ potential role in strengthening the nation’s energy independence at an 8-state Delta forum on Friday.

Statehouse Control To Dominate 2012 Political News

With a Presidential race unlikely to matter in Arkansas and looming lackluster match-ups in all four Congressional races this fall, a real focus for the 2012 political news cycle will be the outcome of the state legislative races. Check out these numbers we’ve crunched.

Cook: ‘Shoe Leather’ Likely To Determine First District Democratic Winner

Talk Business blogger Michael Cook offers his thoughts on the First District Democratic primary.

Endorsements Play An Important Role On The Campaign Trail

Endorsements are a collection of medals that candidates and campaigns covet as they seek to build coalitions of support and shape their public image of invincibility or momentum. But do they really make a difference?

Beebe Discusses Medicaid Costs, Trade Trip and Party Control

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe elaborated on a number of issues, including the looming Medicaid crisis, his trade trip to China and control of the state legislature in our latest “Talk Politics” interview.

Talk Politics With Gov. Mike Beebe

Tuesday morning, May 1, at 10 a.m., Talk Business & Politics will launch its latest installment of “Talk Politics,” our Q&A session with Gov. Mike Beebe (D).

The West Memphis 3 & The Politics Of The First

Will the West Memphis 3 case play a role in the upcoming First District Congressional election?

President Obama And The Democratic Political Lean

President Barack Obama appears safe with First District Democratic primary voters, who offer insight on their political leanings in our latest survey.

Democratic, Republican Views Differ Widely On Buffett Rule

Last week, a survey of Republican voters in south Arkansas stated their overwhelming opposition to an increased tax on individuals making more than $1 million annually. Democrats in Arkansas feel quite differently.

First District Democrats Far From Decided On Nominee, Crawford

In less than a month, First District Democrats will have voted for a Congressional nominee to challenge incumbent Republican Cong. Rick Crawford. Who it will be is a total mystery.

Barth: The Argument For Regnat Populus Measure

In his latest column, Dr. Jay Barth lays out arguments — and some expressed reservations — for the passage of a potential November ballot measure that would change the state’s campaign and ethics laws.

Tolbert: Cotton Has Momentum In Fourth District GOP Primary

Talk Business blogger Jason Tolbert says Tom Cotton has “all the momentum” heading into the May 22 primary.

Lower Federal Funding To Lead To Cuts In State Child Abuse Programs

The Arkansas Department of Human Services announced it will cut $2.2 million from programs related to preventing child abuse due to a reduction in federal funding.