From the Arkansas Advocate:
The four Republicans running for a vacant Arkansas River Valley seat in the House are focused on tax cuts to address constituents’ affordability concerns.
Early voting begins Tuesday for the June 2 special election to represent House District 44, which includes portions of Pope and Van Buren counties. The seat became vacant when Dover Republican Rep. Stan Berry died in March at the age of 71.
Voters will receive one ballot with two elections on it, Pope County Clerk Pam Ennis said. One selection is for a candidate to serve the remainder of Berry’s term. The second selection is for a candidate to run in November to serve a new two-year term.
Voter Info
- Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on Monday. Polls are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 2, election day. A runoff election, if necessary, is scheduled for June 30.
- Voters can check their registration and locate polling sites here.
No Democrats filed to run, so the Republican nominee will be unopposed in November. With Berry’s seat vacant, Republicans hold a 79-20 majority in the state House.
All four candidates describe themselves as conservative Republicans and tout their opposition to abortion and support of gun rights.
Nikki Phillips, a 35-year-old hair stylist who owns a salon and spa in Russellville, said she supports Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ efforts to eliminate the state’s individual income tax. Phillips said she would also like to address rising property taxes and further increase the homestead property tax credit.
Arkansas lawmakers increased the homestead tax credit from $600 to $675 during April’s fiscal session. They also lowered the individual income tax rate from 3.9% to 3.7% during a May special session.
“I would like to cut it all completely for 65 years and older because that’s the people who are most vulnerable, but we got to start somewhere,” she said.
Bill Teeter, a 55-year-old Russellville native, agreed with responsibly lowering the state’s income tax and supporting senior citizens who live on a fixed income.
Teeter, who retired last summer after stints as a volunteer firefighter, 911 dispatcher and emergency management administrator, said he sees people “just scraping by” when he visits the Pope County senior center.
“I just see them struggling and they’re having to come there to get a $4 meal because they can’t hardly afford groceries,” he said.
Wes Freeman, a 57-year-old real estate broker from Dover, agreed tax cuts are important to constituents, and said there must be a “common sense approach to taxation.”
“You have to find out where you can cut spending before you can cut taxes,” he said.
Another big issue for House District 44 residents is education, according to Freeman who said public schools need additional resources.
Phillips supports policies to “strengthen schools, support teachers, and put students first—without wasteful spending,” according to a social media post.
Citing Arkansas’ historically low national rankings, Teeter said the state’s education system needs to be examined.
“I know we have great teachers and administrators…I don’t know if it’s the curriculum or what is going on, but we need to fix it,” he said.
In addition to reducing taxes and supporting educators, Teeter and Freeman have also said they support expanding rural broadband.
Brent Boland, a third-generation farmer and rancher from Hector, has said he’s focused on property tax relief, combatting human trafficking and creating jobs in the oil and gas industry.
“I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a constitutionalist – and I’m running because I believe the people of District 44 deserve a strong, principled voice in Little Rock who will stand firm on the values that built this community,” Boland said in a Facebook post.
Boland did not respond to requests for comment.
A first-time candidate, Phillips said she has leadership skills as a business owner and believes she’s the most conservative candidate on the ballot.
“I bring to the table Christian, conservative leadership,” she said. “I’m going to lead with integrity, and I’m going to lead with purpose.”
Teeter, who previously served as a constable, said he can devote 100% of his time and effort to the role of House representative as a retiree.
“With my life experience from just being in emergency services so long and just taking care of all the people for all the years, I feel like that gives me a big edge,” Teeter said.
Freeman, who has reviewed and worked with lawmakers on property rights legislation, said he’s familiar with the legislative process. This will help him be more effective during the three-month legislative session than a new representative, he said.
“Essentially you could lose representation for our district for two years if you have someone inexperienced that’s voted in,” Freeman said.
