State Political Profile: Arkansas
Governor
Arkansas' gubernatorial race, pitting Attorney General Mike Beebe against former Homeland Security undersecretary Asa Hutchinson, headlines the state political scene in 2006. Neither candidate had an opponent in the May 23 primary, giving both candidates a chance to begin their campaigns early.
Hutchinson had been expected to face Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller in the GOP primary, but the Standard Oil heir dropped out last year to seek treatment for a blood disorder that could turn into leukemia. Rockefeller was in Seattle for treatments the first half of 2006.
The winner of the 2006 race replaces term-limited Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is weighing a run for president. Huckabee is the third-longest serving governor in Arkansas history, behind Orval Faubus and Bill Clinton.
Beebe has never lost an election. He has won every election since 1983 without opposition, including the 2002 race for Arkansas attorney general. As AG, he was the state's chief lawyer in a battle over school funding. Arkansas is under a court order to improve schools by Dec. 1.
Hutchinson is a former U.S. Attorney and congressman who also served as an undersecretary at Homeland Security. In the 1980s, he handled a drug case against Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger and in the 1990s was a floor manager during Clinton's impeachment trial. He has distanced himself from the role, saying Arkansas voters are more concerned about other things.
U.S. House
Arkansas' four congressmen each drew opponents for the November general election, but all -- with multiple terms behind them -- appear safe.
Democratic incumbent Mike Ross faces Republican Joe Ross, a landscape architect, in a southern Arkansas race. The Rosses are not related.
Vic Snyder, a Democrat, will face Andy Mayberry, who won the GOP primary May 23. Mayberry is expected to label Snyder as too liberal for central Arkansas -- tactic that has failed before as Snyder won five previous terms.
Republican John Boozman faces business man Woodrow Anderson III, a Democrat, in conservative northwestern Arkansas, which is the home of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest companies doing what they do.
Democrat Marion Berry from eastern Arkansas faces a challenge from Cabot Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh.
Other State Races
Seven candidates filed for lieutenant governor and primaries May 23 narrowed the list to three: Democrats Bill Halter and Tim Wooldridge advanced to a June 13 runoff, while Jim Holt, a state Senator, won the GOP primary outright to advance to November.
Dustin McDaniel and Paul Suskie faced a June 13 runoff for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. GOP hopeful Gunner Delay was unopposed in his primary and will meet the winner in November. The Arkansas attorney general's office has been a stepping stone to other offices -- Bill Clinton and current U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor previously held the positions, as did Mike Beebe, now running for governor.
Legislature
No major upheaval is expected in the Legislature, where Democrats enjoy a majority in both houses. With term limits (eight years in the Senate, six years in the House), some wives are running for seats being given up by their husbands.
The state Supreme Court has ruled twice in the last four years that Arkansas' doesn't properly fund its public schools. Legislators met this year in a special session to enact reforms and the new class of the Legislature will be called on to ensure compliance with the court's orders.
-- Associated Press
