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Incumbent U.S. Rep. Westerman faces Democratic attorney challenger

Democratic Attorney Risie Howard (left), Republican Congressman Bruce Westerman (Right).
Democratic Attorney Risie Howard (left), Republican Congressman Bruce Westerman (Right).

In Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Bruce Westerman is running again to maintain control of the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Westerman’s Democratic challenger is Risie Howard. Little Rock Public Radio emailed her and the state Democratic Party several times about an interview, and was sent a list of the same questions asked of Westerman. We received no response.

Howard is set to be at the Arkansas PBS debate with Westerman on October 10.

Howard is a lawyer in Pine Bluff, and is listed as being a member of the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Her website says she is a former science teacher and that she knows a lot about naval law, but she doesn't seem to have much of a campaign or online presence.

In an interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Howard said she was running so that Democrats in the 4th Congressional District will have a choice on who to vote for.

Westerman told Little Rock Public Radio that he is generally supportive of aid for Ukraine’s military as it fights Russia; but, he doesn't like the situation the United States is put in. He believes that the reason Russia invaded Ukraine is because the United States pulled troops out of Afghanistan.

“The Biden administration showed weakness on the world stage,” he said. “With that utterly disastrous withdrawal, we lost 13 service members and hundreds of other people.”

He said Ukraine is not our strongest ally, but he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin will not stop at Ukraine if he wins the war. Also, there are a number of defense contractors with facilities in Camden that manufacture a lot of the weapons and equipment the U.S. sends overseas.

He also supports humanitarian aid to Gaza and military aid to Israel. In his words, he supports Israel “100%.” Westerman said he was given the opportunity to watch some footage of the October 7 Hamas attack and described it as “brutal.”

“[I'm] all in favor of supporting Israel until every Hamas terrorist is dead or in custody,” he said.

He went on to reference examples of protests against the war in Gaza which he views as disgraceful, including protestors burning American flags.

The United States also sends humanitarian aid packages filled with food and medical supplies to Gaza. Westerman isn't opposed to the corresponding humanitarian aid with the military aid. He called the people of Gaza’s situation “heartbreaking,” but said their current circumstances should be blamed on Hamas and not Israel.

Westerman voted against forming the commission investigating the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

“That was all just made-for-TV malarkey,” he said. “I've been on record many times saying what happened on January 6th was wrong. People shouldn't have gone into the Capitol like that, should have never happened. The Democratic majority led by Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer shouldn't have made a spectacle out of it either.”

Westerman has been in the job since 2014. He decided to take over the position after Tom Cotton stepped down to run for Senate. Since then he averages around 60% of the vote every time he runs. Westerman says the government is supposed to be a “slow process.”

If he’s re-elected, Westerman says he has few policies in mind for his next term mostly issues relating to energy and mining. Westerman is the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and holds a masters degree in forestry from Yale University.

He wants to pass a bipartisan piece of legislation called the “Fix our Forestry Act” which would regulate forestry lands. He also thinks too many industrial products are made in China like solar panels and electric vehicles.

He also wants to take advantage of natural lithium deposits in the 4th District by putting more money into research and development at some Arkansas colleges.

Josie Lenora is the Politics/Government Reporter for Little Rock Public Radio.