Lots To ‘Know’ And ‘Not Know’ In 2014 Politics FILINGS ARE FAST, FURIOUS FOR STATE, LOCAL OFFICES Maylon Rice From the Washington County Enterprise Leader As the political fi lings for the 2014 election cycle fi ll the newspaper pages and airways every night and day, it’s about time to revisit what one “knows” and “doesn’t know” on these last Dog days of summer 2013. I know the announced Republican candidates for the Open 4th District Congressional seat, Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, 40, and State Rep. Bruce Westerman, 45, R-Hot Springs. There are others in the GOP may still announce. I don’t know the latest Republican candidate Tommy Moll, 31, a Hot Springs businessman. Just who does know him? I know that 3rd District Congressman Steve Womack of Rogers has been crisscrossing the District, holding Town Hall meetings in search of a third term these last few weeks. I don’t know Thomas Brewer of Rogers, a GOP challenger to Womack? Do you? I know that State Senator Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro, is in serious “hot water” over ethical violations on campaign spending reports. He has been assessed the largest ethics fine in the state’s history. I don’t know if the second generation politician can survive a special Prosecuting Attorney pouring over his books? I know Secretary of State Mark Martin, is also in some “hot water” over hiring private law firms for legal help, rather than use the Arkansas Attorney General’s off ce. I don’t know if Secretary Martin will be “hung out to dry” by the state GOP, trying to maintain a Republican in that off ce? I know and have known for almost a year that State Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, was looking for a “step up” politically. I don’t know if Rep. Collins, a Michigan native, is really up to a long state-wide campaign in Arkansas. I know that Democrat Bill Halter swallowed a “ bitter pill” to drop out of the Arkansas Governor’s race. He could not raise funds or gain much traction after former Congressman Mike Ross’ announcement for the off ce. I don’t know if the earlier rumors of Halter entering the 2nd Congressional District race down in Central Arkansas will come true? I know Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Pryor was at the Grady (Lincoln County) Fish Fry last week. That small Lion’s Club Fish Fry is one of the state’s signature political events year in and year out. I don’t know how 4th District Republican Congressman Tom Cotton, will justify, after announcing for a state-wide U.S. Senate race against Pryor, got on a plane to junket to Israel? I know, that Mark Pryor knows, the Grady Fish Fry is in the 4th Congressional District and an event not to miss in an election year. I don’t know if Tom Cotton knows where Grady is on a map? Or if he’s ever been to a Lion’s Club fundraiser like the Grady Fish Fry? I know there was standing room only at Central Arkansas Political Animals when Democrat Mike Ross spoke a few weeks ago. I don’t know if there were 100 people there last week to hear Republican State Rep. Debra Hobbs, give her Conservative pitch for Governor? I knew that one day, Republican Washington County Assessor Jeft Williams, would seek to run for the County Judge’s off ce. I don’t know if he can win against Democratic incumbent Marilyn Edwards? I know a lot will change between now and the 433 days remaining until the November 2014 General Election. I don’t know if I can predict those election results. If I could, I would be in Vegas setting the odds-boards at The Golden Nugget. Not wondering about them in a newspaper column.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 00:20:17 +0000