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Arkansas GOP Shifts Focus After Sweeping Election

Michael Hibblen

Arkansas Republicans are shifting their focus to governing the day after sweeping Arkansas' top offices, while Democrats tried to assess their future following a rout up and down in the ballot in a state they had once dominated.

State GOP Chairman Doyle Webb told reporters Wednesday that his party must follow through on its campaign promises to cut taxes and limit government.

The GOP swept all statewide and federal offices on the ballot in Tuesday's election.

Outgoing Gov. Mike Beebe says Republicans in Arkansas and nationally successfully capitalized on the president's unpopularity in the midterm election, and says whether fellow Democrats can rebound depends on how the GOP will govern. 

File photo of Gov. Mike Beebe speaking to reporters in September at the state Capitol.
Credit Michael Hibblen / KUAR News

Beebe told reporters Wednesday he believed Democrats did all they could to distinguish themselves from President Barack Obama, but the tide was too strong to prevent the gains the GOP made.

Beebe, who was barred by term limits from seeking re-election, said he believed could have won in Tuesday's election.

Beebe has enjoyed high approval ratings over the past eight years, despite Republican gains.

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