ARKANSAS 2014
Filing Deadline (Party & Write-In Candidates): March 1, 2014
Primary: May 20, 2014
To see the actual voting records of all incumbents on other issues such as Foreign Policy, Second Amendment Issues, Homeland Security, and other issues as well as their rankings by special interest groups please use the links followed by two stars (**).
U.S. SENATE
Senator John Boozman (R ) Next Election in 2016.
Senator Mark Pryor (D ) Incumbent
http://pryorforsenate.com/
http://www.pryor.senate.gov/public/
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/mark_pryor.htm **
Pryor serves on six Senate Committees, including the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. He was recently named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations—a position that will allow him to prioritize funding for federal programs that benefit Arkansas farmers, producers, and rural communities, and keep Arkansas’s agricultural sector strong.
Pryor also serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; the Senate Rules Committee; and the Senate Ethics Committee.
ISSUES
ECONOMY/JOBS/ENVIRONMENT
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/96974/coalition-including-mark-pryor-backs-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline
BACKS KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE
HEALTHCARE
http://americarising.tumblr.com/post/57610782446/mark-pryor-says-obamacare-has-been-amazing-success
Mark Pryor Says ObamaCare Has Been Amazing Success Story So Far
Continuing his full embrace of ObamaCare for 2014, Mark Pryor called ObamaCare an “amazing success story so far”:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/01/03/politicos_john_harris_obama_and_obamacare_dragging_down_mark_pryor.html
IMMIGRATION
http://immigrationstance.diggersrealm.com/ar/senator_mark_pryors_record_on_immigration_reform_and_illegal_aliens.html
Senator Mark Pryor has voted in favor of giving illegal aliens further rewards and other incentives to come such as in-state tuition, educational benefits, welfare and health care services.
Rep. Tom Cotton (R) Challenger
Presently Rep. district 4, Attorney, Afghan War Veteran
http://cotton.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Tom_Cotton.htm **
ISSUES
DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY:
http://cotton.house.gov/issues/defense-and-national-security
I volunteered to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I believe those wars are just and necessary. As a veteran, I want to bring our troops home as much as anyone, but I want to bring them home victoriously. I don’t believe in exit strategies; I believe in victory strategies. In Congress, I will stand up to President Obama, whose short-sighted and politically motivated decisions threaten the lives and money that America has invested in these wars.I strongly support the many critical fronts in our global war against Islamic terrorists. We must continue to track and monitor our enemies through terrorist-surveillance programs. We should target these terrorists aggressively through the use of drone technology wherever possible. We should employ our special-operations forces and intelligence professionals where feasible. When we capture terrorists, they should go to Guantanamo Bay for vigorous interrogation—not to a civilian court in America
ECONOMY/JOBS/ENVIRONMENT
http://cotton.house.gov/issues/energy
We must open federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to more exploration and production. The oil-and-gas reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, the Arctic Ocean, and federal public lands in the West and Alaska are a tremendous untapped source of economic growth. Greater exploration and production will increase the reliability of our supplies and reduce prices, create high-paying jobs that can’t be sent overseas, and reduce the deficit through higher lease and royalty payments. In Congress, I will work not only to open these lands and the OCS, but also to ensure that regulators act on drilling and production permits in a timely, responsible manner.I strongly oppose all forms of a “cap and trade” schemes, which are nothing more than a massive new tax on energy I will fight tirelessly against cap and trade, both in Congress and against the EPA’s abusive use of the Clean Air Act to implement cap and trade unilaterally.
HEALTHCARE
http://cotton.house.gov/issues/health-issues
President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, is a job-killer, a health-care disaster, and an assault on liberty. I will fight to repeal and replace ObamaCare with free-market reforms that empower patients and doctors to make health-care decisions..I will also help states to reform the medical-malpractice system to protect our doctors and serve our patients.
ObamaCare must be repealed entirely. If that does not happen, it must be repealed piece-by-piece. And if that fails, it must be defunded.
U.S.CONGRESS
District 1
Rick Crawford (R) Incumbent
http://crawford.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Rick_Crawford.htm **
http://crawford.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=42749
Rated -3 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
ISSUES
ECONOMY/JOBS/ENVIRONMENT
In order to get our country back on track, we must create certainty for businesses by reducing the regulatory burden and permanently lowering taxes. Moreover, I support efforts to overhaul the current tax system by broadening the tax base and lowering the corporate tax rate. These measures would have immediate and long-term effects by spurring job growth and making America more internationally competitive. One of my first acts as a Member of Congress was to introduce legislation that eliminates the 1099 paperwork requirement included in ObamaCare. This provides immediate relief to small businesses allowing them to redirect resources and focus on job creation. I also co-sponsored legislation that permanently extends the Bush tax cuts and repeals the estate tax.
As a Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I am responsible for writing policies that support our farmers and advance the interests of American agriculture. Unfortunately, the current Administration has put a squeeze on our farmers with excessive regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I have worked with my colleagues on oversight and will continue to do everything within my power to scale back the EPA’s overreach. I have been particularly vocal on the House floor and in Committee about the EPA’s proposal to regulate farm dust.
Supports construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
HEALTHCARE
We must ensure that the quality of health care afforded to our citizens remains the best in the world. Doctors and patients should make decisions, not Washington bureaucrats.. My first act as a new Member of Congress was to introduce H.R. 2, the Repeal the Job Killing Health Care Act.
Jackie McPherson (D) Challenger
http://www.jackieforarkansas.com/
District 2
Tim Griffin (R) Retiring in 2014 no Incumbent
http://griffin.house.gov/
French Hill (R ) Challenger
http://www.electfrench.com/
http://talkbusiness.net/2013/10/banker-french-hill-to-run-for-congress/
“I’m running for Congress because we need more business leaders in Congress – not more career politicians. I grew up in the Second District and live and work here today,” said Hill. “Everyday at my business my priorities are helping Arkansas’s entrepreneurs start and grow their own businesses and encouraging families to save and invest. I know first hand the challenges businesses and families in Arkansas face, and in Congress, I will fight every day for policies that spur economic growth and job creation. I will demand greater accountability at every level of the federal government and do away with job-killing policies like ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank. Representing the Second District in Congress would be an honor, and I look forward to working hard to earn the trust and support of Arkansans in the months ahead.”
Hill is a former George H.W. Bush administration official having served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
ISSUES
HEALTHCARE
Obamacare is more than just a malfunctioning website—it is a $2.2 trillion mistake. Big government, “one size fits all” solutions simply do not work in our large, complex country. This law is harming Americans with fewer choices, higher healthcare costs and countless tax increases. It is also chipping away at the physician/patient relationship. We need to repeal and replace it with reforms that lower healthcare costs for all Arkansans. We need to reject the ever-expanding culture of dependency and encourage our able-bodied citizens to pursue lives of virtue, hard work, and civic service.
We must also embrace reforms that reward quality healthcare, encourage healthy living, and minimize waste through patient choice, information, transparent pricing, and healthcare ownership. We need a private insurance market that allows for flexibility, portability, and choice. We must reform Medicaid so that governors have flexibility to control state budgets and manage high-impact patients who drive up costs for local providers and federal/state officials. We also need medical malpractice reform.
Our healthcare system faces some serious problems. But, we need targeted, surgical, carefully considered reforms that acknowledge the complexity of our healthcare system.
JOBS, TAXES AND ECONOMY
Our economy remains adrift, wages are flat, Obamacare is not working, and businesses face so much uncertainty. Americans have little faith in Washington. Sadly, opportunities are slipping away for future generations because of anti-business regulations and job-killing policies. The current administration has only made things worse.
We must demand accountability and simplicity at every level of the federal government. That starts by repealing the endless regulations, mandates and taxes that saddle Arkansas small businesses. We have a federal tax code that is madly complex. We need a simple, clear, fairer tax code. Manufacturers need certainty and relief so they can to grow, expand, and add jobs.
In short, we must completely overhaul the federal government’s wet blanket that is holding our nation back. Hardworking Americans and entrepreneurs need an ally—not an enemy—in Washington.
Washington is out of control and career politicians are bankrupting our country. The federal government needs to quit trying to do everything and instead, shift power back to state and local governments. The federal government is too big and spends too much.
The federal government must reform entitlements, cut low-priority spending, and stop performing functions best left to state and local governments or the private sector. We need a cultural change in which the federal government is a smaller, less significant, and much less expensive and intrusive part of everyone’s lives. We must enact a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and a line-item presidential veto power that could pass constitutional muster. These types of reforms are a necessary antidote to Congress’s failures to exercise self-control.
Patrick Henry Hayes (D ) Challenger
Army Veteran, Attorney, Former Mayor of North Little Rock
http://www.patrickhenryhays.com/
ISSUES
JOBS AND ECONOMY
As Mayor of North Little Rock, Patrick Henry Hays cut wasteful spending and used the savings to grow the economy and create jobs. Hays championed the construction of Verizon Arena, Dickey-Stephens Ballpark, and attracted Caterpillar’s new factory to North Little Rock – creating hundreds of local jobs. And by revitalizing downtown Argenta, enhancing Burns Park, and making a better quality of life for the people of his city, Mayor Hays was able to attract business and tourism that helped keep the local economy afloat, even during the Great Recession.
In Congress, Patrick Henry Hays will take the same approach. He will cut wasteful spending, eliminate burdensome and outdated regulations, keep higher education affordable, and invest in the things that create jobs – like public and technical schools and high-tech research.
Cutting Federal Spending
The skyrocketing national debt is unacceptable. Washington needs to learn how to balance its budget the same way we do. As Mayor of North Little Rock, Patrick Henry Hays balanced 24 city budgets, slashed the city’s debt, and cut wasteful spending. That’s how Hays transformed North Little Rock into an engine of economic growth.
Patrick Henry Hays will take the same approach in Congress – working with Democrats and Republicans to cut spending, reduce our government’s growing debt, save taxpayer dollars, and help businesses create jobs.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The United States government’s first and foremost responsibility is to keep Americans safe from foreign and domestic threats. In Congress, Patrick Henry Hays will keep our military strong, invest in our capacity to fight terrorism at home and abroad, and encourage investment in renewable energy sources that will make our country energy independent.
GUN RIGHTS
As a gun owner himself and a member of the NRA, Patrick Henry Hays understands that gun ownership is an important part of Arkansas tradition – and the right to bear arms is guaranteed by our Constitution. In Congress, Hays will oppose any law, including an assault weapons ban, that would take guns away from law-abiding citizens. But as a Mayor, Hays understands that we need background checks on commercial gun sales – to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.
ENERGY
Energy Independence is essential to America’s national security, and the key to making energy more affordable for families in Arkansas. Patrick Henry Hays supports a do-it-all approach: we need to invest in renewable energy like wind, solar and biofuels, while also taking full advantage of our abundant domestic resources like oil and natural gas. That’s why Hays strongly supports the completion of the Keystone pipeline.
District 3
Steve Womack (R) Incumbent
http://womack.house.gov/
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Steve_Womack.htm **
http://womack.house.gov/issues/
Rated -4 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
ISSUES
ECONOMY/JOBS/ENVIRONMENT
Energy independence is a National Security issue and we must support and promote domestic energy exploration and production. Additionally, we must continue to work hard to develop new forms of “cleaner and greener” energy that will carry us into the next century. I am committed to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. I will continue to support policies to remove barriers to domestic energy production and stop harmful regulations from driving up energy costs .Supported construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline without limiting amendments.
HEALTHCARE
I will work to ensure health care is affordable and portable but we must address the fiasco known OBAMAcare. I will demand that Tort reform is put at the forefront of the discussion – it must be fixed to reduce costly defensive medical practices. We do not need Government run health care in this country. I will lead the way to reach a bipartisan approach that benefits ALL Americans.
IMMIGRATION
Prior to any discussion about immigration reform, I will demand that our borders are secure. I believe that we can secure our borders within a short time period – but Congress must have the will to push this issue. I will lead a broad bi-partisan fight to ensure we have a person in charge that is competent and committed to get the job done. We must fix this issue with compassion and common sense – but I not in favor of Amnesty – in fact I am on record against it.
DEFENSE:
As a 30-year veteran of the United States Army National Guard, I understand the importance of ensuring our nation is protected from those who want to harm us.
No Democratic Party Challenger
District 4
Tom Cotton (R )- Is leaving Congress to run for Senate No Incumbent
Bruce Westerman(R) Challenger
State House Majority Leader, Ex-Fountain Lake School Board Pres. & Agricultural Engineerand member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing District 22. He was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
http://www.brucewesterman.com/
I am asking for your vote and support to continue my fight in Washington, where an unfair Obama administration governs from the top-down, picking winners and losers. .
James Lee Witt (D ) Challenger
http://www.jamesleeforcongress.com/
James Lee served 10 years as County Judge until he was appointed Director of Arkansas Office of Emergency Services and managed the state’s response to disasters. Based on his performance, President Clinton nominated James Lee to be the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). His nomination won unanimous support in the United States Senate.
At FEMA, James Lee was the best kind of leader: a common sense guy who would listen to everyone. In just a short time, he transformed FEMA from a failing agency to what was widely recognized as the most successful agency in government. He accomplished this unprecedented turnaround by putting performance and people ahead of politics.
Time Magazine’s special segment on James Lee called him the “Master of Disaster.” Democrats and Republicans alike praised him for his leadership and FEMA’s performance, as did the state and local officials where FEMA worked. As Director, Witt oversaw 379 major disasters, including some of the most devastating disasters of all time. These included the Oklahoma City bombing, the Great Midwest Flood, horrendous tornadoes, numerous wildfires and hurricanes, and Northridge, the most destructive recent earthquake in the country. Witt managed a total of 710 disaster declarations, 65 emergency declarations and 266 fire suppression authorizations.
After FEMA, James Lee opened James Lee Witt Associates, a company that helps governments and corporations throughout the world recover from disasters and deal with other crises.