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Candidate Questions

Benton County Sheriff Republican Nomination

Name: Kelley Cradduck

Age: 37

Family: Three children: Logan, Landon and Taelyn

Occupation: Sergeant, Rogers Police Department's Crime Suppression Unit

Education: 1989 graduate of Rogers High School; 1995 graduate of the

Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy

Previous political experience: Four years on the Rogers Community SupportsBoard; former Our Farm board membersMilitary experience: Four years in the U.S. Army with an honorable dischargesas a medical specialist; combat veteran of Operation Just Cause

What's your position on the 287[g] enforcement program and should there be any changes to the 287[g] task force?

I believe that the 287[g] program can be utilized as a tool for lawsenforcement. I would commit two deputies to the program, as is customaryswith a local task force. I believe that audio and video should be utilizedsas much as possible when utilizing 287[g], which would provide documentedsevidence of how any information regarding illegal immigrant status wassobtained. This information should be transparent, available to the media andspublic, allowing for a high level of trust to be developed over the programsbetween law enforcement and our community. This would also help protect thescounty from frivolous law suits and increase the integrity of the programswithin our court system.

What would you do to combat gangs and gang-related crime in Benton County?

Educate and engage parents, teachers, factory workers, executives,sfirefighters, students, counselors and cops to stand against criminal gangs.s
Share intelligence by creating and maintaining a database that issaccessible to area law enforcement (to both enter and retrieve information).sOne option is to utilize "New World" software, which can be added to anysexisting programs being utilized by all agencies.s
Create a county-wide Crime Suppression Task Force that will focus onsidentification, suppression, intelligence gathering, and investigations ofsrepeat offenders.s
Work with prosecutors and legislators to facilitate a stronger gangsstatute.The current statute requires at least three or more people toscommit a series of related serious offenses and fails to provide the justicessystem with an opportunity to charge even admitted gang members with anysenhancement.s
Create mentoring program, partnering with local churches and civicsgroups, to divert juveniles from gang activity.sIs the Benton County jail the right size? What are you doing to deal withsconcerns about crowding at the jail?sWhile I agree that the jail should not be a vacation destination, the bestssolution to slowing the revolving door involves more than just throwingspeople in jail. Reducing crime in Northwest Arkansas will require ascomprehensive solution that involves all the players (inmates, counselors,sjailers, churches, etc.) and will take a willingness to embrace newsthinking.s
Focus on reducing recidivism rate while maintaining the "no frills"spolicy.s
Implement GED program (via satellite computer) which is free to thescounty and allows inmates to immediately transfer and continue the programsat Northwest Arkansas Community College.s
Create mentoring program (for adults and juveniles), utilizingssuccessful citizens to mentor inmates and provide follow-up sessions aftersthey are released.s
Provide inmates, upon their release, with a list of employmentsopportunities via temp agencies and select employers. This will givesindividuals an opportunity to immediately start work without having tosresort to the same activities that provided for their incarceration in thesfirst place.s
Stop the practice of housing federal inmates.s
Allow first-time, non-violent misdemeanor offenders to be cited outsin order to make room for violent and repeat offenders.

Name: Keith Ferguson
Age: 64

Family: Wife: Sammy; three children: Cliff, Joy and Shane

Occupation: Benton County sheriff

Education: 32 years of law enforcement training and experience

Previous political experience: Benton County sheriff since January 2003)

Military experience: Eight years with the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge

What's your position on the 287[g] enforcement program and should there be any changes to the 287[g] task force?

The Benton County Sheriff's office has been actively involved in the 287[g] program for the past 8 months. I believe that this program is a positive move for Benton County in regard to illegal immigration and the problems surrounding it. In cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement we have processed and arrested illegal aliens that have been involved with various crimes including murder, rape, child molestation, burglary, drugs and theft, and after judicial process, deported those who are found to be in our country illegally.

In regard to changing the 287[g] program, I am a firm believer of if it's not broke you don't try to fix it and this program seems to be working. I do not see any need for change at present time.

What are you doing to combat gangs and gang-related crime in Benton County? What specific programs would you suggest the county create or expand?

The Benton County Sheriff's office is addressing all of the crimes and issues that affect Benton County. Gangs and gang-related crimes are predominately located within the city confines. We have been active in the identification of gang members and the documentation of identifiers such as fingerprinting and tattoos of those that have been arrested within our cities and countywide since 2006. Gang resources, which come from selling drugs and other illegal activities, are being aggressively addressed by the Benton County Sheriff's office as well.

We are currently involved in the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program. This program is in place to teach our county's children to resist the temptation of becoming involved in a gang. Through education of our children and their parents we are hoping to stop gang involvement before it begins. Is the Benton County jail the right size? What are you doing to deal with concerns about crowding at the jail?

The Benton County jail was the right size in 1998. It was built with growth in mind, but it was impossible to anticipate the rate of growth that Benton County would experience. At present time the Benton County jail is not adequate in size, we are consistently finding ourselves at or near maximum inmate capacity.

Housing and holding criminals from the communities and cities within the county is one of the primary responsibilities of the County Sheriff. I have already informed the Quorum Court of the need to expand the jail and a plan for expansion has been approved and funding has been made available. It is my intention to construct an additional jail facility which will hold approximately 160 nonviolent criminals at a lesser cost than building another pod onto the existing jail. If the rate of population growth in Benton County continues as it has been the past few years an increase in the size of the current jail facility in the near future will be inevitable.

Name: Andy Lee

Age: 60

Family: Wife: Holly; four children: Andy, Jessica, Travis and Allison; 12 grandchildren

Occupation: Retired sheriff; Realtor

Education: Associates degree P

revious political experience: Bentonville city alderman; Benton County sheriff

Military experience: None
What's your position on the 287[g] enforcement program and should there be any changes to the 287[g] task force?

I support the 287[g] program as long as the integrity of the program is not lost and we don't racially profile in the process of using the 287[g] program. I was the one who brought the 287[g] program to the forefront. When I first spoke of this program, Ferguson said he had no use for it. It was not until the Mayor of Rogers got on board that got the attention of the current sheriff. This program is a great tool to arrest illegal immigrants that have committed a crime and deport them without waiting for assistance from the federal government. Remember it did not take a campaign for me to realize the value of the 287[g] program. I do not believe there is a task force for the 287[g] program. Rogers, Springdale, Washington county and Benton county all have sent personnel to train under the 287[g] program but from what I understand they all work independently of each other. I believe a true task force is one that unites the cities and the county to work as one. The sheriff needs to bring them together and join forces. It is not just a city issue, it is a county issue also. The safety of all our citizens is at stake. What would you do to combat gangs and gang-related crime in Benton County? In 1993 my administration said that gangs were moving into Benton County. If you remember this was not received well by a former mayor and a local newspaper. In 1993 one gang was identified, one. Now in the same city, the city police will tell you they have identified over 40 active gangs. A regional gang task force must be organized and made up of as many law enforcement jurisdictions as possible. Hopefully this would include members of law enforcement from the seven counties that border Benton county and any local federal agencies who are interested. The county's Drug Task Unit would be an intricate part of this gang task force and all members of this unit will be trained and certified under the 287[g] program. This needs to happen now, not tomorrow and if elected we will work on this immediately in May (provided the current Sheriff will allow me back into the office to work on issues). As soon as we identify gang members who have outstanding warrants this unit will go after them, sending a message that you are not welcome in Benton County and we won't stop there. We will continue to stay on the backs of gang members until we break down their territories and turn those neighborhoods back to the citizens of this county. This unit will work closely with the Juvenile Justice Systems and our schools to stop any gang presents in or on our schools campuses. We can win this problem with gangs in Benton County and I will see to it that happens, but we can no longer wait to take aggressive action. This is what happens when your Chief Law Enforcement Officer chooses to ignore our gang problem.
A father of four children shot in May 2006 (This is the gang initiation execution that the current sheriff tried to write off as a "road-rage shooting." Even to the point he lied to the press several times about tattoos on those who were arrested.)
A 17-year-old child shot in December 2006 (another gang execution).
A Rogers Police Officer shot in October 2006.
A Bentonville school recorded a gang initiation known as a "jump in" inside the school in March 2007
Federal ICE Agents in the month of September 2007 executed a sting and arrested 41 illegal aliens (mostly gang members) out of 200 felony warrants issued or serious crimes. I was once scolded for making the remark "Do we have to wait until a child lays dead before we get serious about gangs?" Well now that that has happen, what is next? What specific programs would suggest the county create or expand? A new Juvenile Detention Center. This is a passion of mine to prevent troubled youth from becoming adult criminals. Juveniles will end up in the county jail as young adult criminals if we don't make an attempt to help them. So when I say a new Juvenile Detention Center I mean one that is complete One that will help mentor our children and teach them how to think with their head and work with their hands. We will get them the education they need. We will show them how to fill out a resume, interview for a job, balance a check book and then when they are ready to be released we will seek the support of the community to interview them for jobs to assist us in making sure they get on and stay on the right track. This starts with a boot camp and goes forward. It is important to have a local Juvenile Detention Center for parents, family and friends can be able to visit without having to travel half way across this state to a far away place which makes it difficult to keep in touch. I could go on and on about this one. The number one duty of law enforcement is not to catch the bad guy. Our number one duty is to prevent the crime from ever happening. It all starts with our children Mine and yours!
Is the Benton County jail the right size?
Yes, our administration ran that jail for years. There is no way that jail should be full, my belief is, it is just not managed correctly by our sheriff.
What would you do to deal with concerns about crowding at the jail?
Stop holding federal prisoners! This will open up needed beds for those who are arrested from Benton County and very importantly it will stop "criminal networking" between federal prisoners and local prisoners.

To Ferguson, the operation of the jail is all about money not detention. The prisoner work detail program needs to be brought back to the activity that my administration left it! We only see them now and then and that is mostly during election time. But the thing I will do the most is put the reputation the jail once had as the "toughest jail in America" back into the criminal grapevine. Once again the jail will become one of the best crime fighting tools to prevent a criminal from wanting to prey on a citizen of Benton County. Remember under our administration bad guys did not want to serve time in Benton County. Why? The Jail. Do you not remember stories from Deputies who would report that when a person who was arrested and found out that he was headed to the Benton County Jail, that prisoner would break down and cry? Now the current Sheriff will say he has not changed the way the jail is operated. Then why is the crime and the jail population going up during a time in Benton County when growth has practically stopped? The lack of leadership is why! (If the jail is full and the sheriff really feels he needs to build another pod, then why does he not call for a comprehensive study that will show what our current needs for jail beds are today and what the future will require? He has never put a pencil to the cost of construction and the cost of operating a larger jail. I can show you several statements in the media and to the long range planning committee that are never consistent. Remember he started out saying a new pod would cost 12 to 14 million dollars. Then it went to 2 million and now it is down to 1 million. First it would take 48 more deputies to run the new pod, then it went to 28 and now it is down to 7. Go figure!) I will make a prediction the addition the sheriff wants will not happen. Two reasons: It is not needed and he can't sell it to the public!

Carroll County Sheriff Democratic Nomination

House District 95 Republican nomination

House District 95 Republican nomination

Name: Duncan Baird

Age: 28

Family: Single

Occupation: Securities trader, Arvest Asset Management

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, University of Arkansas

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state

lottery? Why?

I am against the proposed constitutional amendment that would create a state

lottery. I don't believe the state should be in the business of promoting

gambling or lotteries.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried

cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

Favor. It is in the best interest of adoptive children and foster children

to be placed in a home anchored by both a mother and a father.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

Those here illegally should not be eligible for welfare, Medicaid,

unemployment benefits, food stamps or to receive a driver's license. We

should help the federal government enforce immigration laws by giving state

and local law enforcement the tools and training that they need to enforce

them. I support participation in the 287[g] program, which allows the state

and local law enforcement officers to perform immigration law enforcement

functions in partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is

punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

I support strengthening the laws against animal cruelty, but only if we

provide exceptions for traditional agricultural practices, hunting, and

fishing. We must balance the legitimate concerns of our farmers, hunters,

and fishers, with the need to punish those who commit terrible acts of

cruelty.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to

Northwest Arkansas?

I view roads as an investment and not an expense, and will support any

funding mechanism to build new roads in our region, but do not support

raising taxes.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property

owners?

I do not believe that our state's eminent domain laws are strong enough, and

will work as a legislator to strengthen them. I oppose "zero value"

condemnations, which is when a property owner is paid nothing because the

amount he or she is said to be gaining in value is more than the value of

the land that was taken. I also oppose the taking of private property by the

government when combined with the later sale of that property to a private

party.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

My No. 1 priority as a legislator will be to work to lower the tax burden on

Arkansas' families and small businesses and to reform our tax code to

encourage job creation, entrepreneurship and investment in our state.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what

taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in

the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts,

please be specific.

I am a supporter of lower taxes, and will not vote the increase the tax

burden on Arkansas' families and small businesses. I would like to see an

overhaul of our tax code to reduce barriers to job creation,

entrepreneurship, and investment in our state. We also need to take steps

to reform and restructure state government so that we use our resources more

efficiently and live within our means.

The first step in reform will be to examine our state agencies and

consolidate those that have similar functions to achieve economies of scale.

For example, if you look at law enforcement, we have separate departments

for the State Police, Highway Police, Capitol Police, Game and Fish

Commission enforcement, Tobacco Control enforcement, and many others. This

is an example of just one area of state government where economies of scale

could be achieved through consolidation.

One mechanism for eliminating redundancies and improving the use of our

resources would be to have "Sunset" provisions requiring each state agency,

board, or commission to justify its existence and funding on a regular

basis. Departments would have to demonstrate periodically that they are

efficient and effective users of taxpayer dollars in order to be

reauthorized. In the case of a budget shortfall, I would support freezing or

limiting the growth of all programs, except K-12 funding, to the extent

necessary to meet any shortfall.

The people of Arkansas work hard to live within their means, and I think we

should expect the same from our state government.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

A lawmaker should be willing to listen to anyone, and it shouldn't take a

free dinner at a Little Rock steakhouse to get a lawmaker's attention.

I believe this so strongly that I will refuse to take the gifts lobbyists

routinely offer state legislators free meals, free drinks, free

entertainment, and so forth. Simply put: I will not accept anything that

isn't available to the public also.

If we are going to change the way things are done in the Capitol, and

encourage integrity in the state legislature, gift reform is a good place to

start.

Name: Linda Bisbee

Age: 55

Family: Husband Dave; three children, seven grandchildren

Occupation: Co-owner, Valley Homes Inc.

Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Southern Arkansas University

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

1.) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state

lottery? Why?

The ballot title has already been approved and the issue will be referred to

the 2008 general election, if it gets enough signatures. That decision will

be left up to the people of Arkansas.

I am opposed to the lottery personally. Funding education through lotteries

has not really panned out that well in other states.

2.) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried

cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

If the proposed initiated act receives enough signatures to get on the

ballot, the people of Arkansas will make that decision. I favor the act.

3.) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

Whatever is legal and economical to ensure all aliens are here legally.

4.) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

No. The current law allows for a $1,000 fine and 1 year in the county jail. That is not being used, therefore I do not believe a felony charge is needed.

5.) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

It takes a majority of the Legislature to want to send dollars to Northwest Arkansas. For a legislator from Northwest Arkansas to be successful, they will have to earn great respect and build strong relationships, in order to obtain necessary votes to bring dollars to Northwest Arkansas.

6.) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

Possibly not. While property can not be taken for private use, the level of compensation is questionable.

7.) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

This is a difficult question, since I am not promoting a particular cause. My priority would be to bring sound conservative values and strong leadership into all areas and ensure Northwest Arkansas has a strong representation.

8.) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

Unlike the Federal Government, Arkansas can not cut taxes and keep on spending. My focus will be to control spending, hopefully allowing for a tax cut on groceries.

9.) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

No. Laws don't make ethical lawmakers.

Crawford County Sheriff Democratic nomination

Name: Jim Freeman

Age: 52

Family: Wife Liz and six children

Occupation: Manager at Bob Cole Bail Bonds in Van Buren

Education: High school

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: U.S. Marine Corps

What will your top three priorities be if elected?

1. To have an open door policy with the public, employees and all local law enforcement agencies.

2. To strive to build a very strong narcotics task force. We do not currently have a narcotics officer in the Crawford County sheriff's office.

3. It's very important to me to form a strong relationship with law enforcement agencies and with the community and to have each town be able to deputize in the event of an emergency.

Name: Mike Allen

Age: 43

Family: Wife Karen and four children

Occupation: Crawford County sheriff

Education: Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; FBI Swat School

Previous political experience: Two terms as sheriff

Military experience: None.

What will your top three priorities be if elected?

My top priority for the next term in office is to continue to expand our abilities to deal with sex crimes. Our department is actively involved in maintaining a sex offender program that tracks all offenders within our county.

Being a member of the western district sex and violent crimes task force has given us a better look into where we stand as a society, concerning sex offenses. The western district was recently rated number 6 in the nation for arrests of sex and other violent offenders. This tells us that we are doing a good job of arresting these criminals, but it also affirms that we are seeing a rise in these types of offenses.

We are a part of ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) and my department has devoted one full-time investigator to work with the ICAC program, along with our sex crimes and sex offender tracking programs.

Our children are undisputedly our most valuable assets in life and they are the ones that desperately need protection from these depraved individuals, so I will continue to develop policies and programs that allow us to address this issue head-on.

Another area of concern is adequately patrolling the county. We have put a lot of time and effort into creating and enforcing a strict patrol schedule that covers the entire county. It's been very difficult with our limited staff, but things are looking up.

As you may already know the Quorum Court recently approved four new deputy positions. Three of the four will be dedicated to patrol. Not only will this allow us to be more proactive with our patrol efforts, but it will allow us to reduce the overtime hours for our other officers.

Our focus from the beginning of this administration was to be proactive and community oriented. The information and other help we receive from our citizens is what truly enables us to provide good law enforcement for our county. With the addition of officers we are going to be more visible throughout the county and more available to listen to people throughout the county, who have valuable information to provide.

The jail is another major issue that will continue to plague us until a resolution is found. We have been and will continue to work with area agencies, exploring the feasibility of a regional facility.

We have also been in contact with other counties in an attempt to develop ideas that may be somewhat non-traditional. We have looked into GPS monitoring for criminals that are free on reporting bonds. Many of these same criminals repeat their crimes while they are waiting to go to the penitentiary, so there is a need to track them, however the better option is confining them to jail, so they can't continue to perpetrate crimes. To do this we have to have a larger bed capacity in our detention center.

With the jail being at capacity it not only allows offenders to repeat their crimes, but it also interferes with the way our judges are able to deal out true jail time as a deterrent to those persons convicted in their courts. Our judges should be able to issue jail time to those convicted and know that they are going to serve every minute of the sentence. At present we are forced to juggle prisoners across the state just to try and meet the needs of the judicial system.

With this all said, I will be making some recommendations to the Quorum Court, hopefully late this summer or early fall concerning a possible expansion project for our existing detention center. We are looking at every possibility concerning the financing of an expansion, before we go public with our plan.

This issue is not going away anytime soon and we are not going to stop looking at our options as long as there is a need.

Scott County Sheriff Democratic nomination

Johnson County Sheriff Democratic nomination

Name: Jimmy Dorney

Age: 41

Family: Single

Occupation: Johnson County sheriff

Education: Bachelors degree in communications from University of the Ozarks;

Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy

Previous political experience: Serving first term as sheriff

Military experience: None
Your three priorities if elected:

To try and solve the disappearance of Ms. Bonnie McFadden of Coal Hill, who

has been missing since August 2005.

To get the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Web site up and running so

citizens can have better access to our office, including the posting online

of the county's registered sex offenders.

For all officers to continue to work hard each day, providing the citizens

of Johnson County with the best possible law enforcement available, at all

time and in all situations.

Name: Jimmy Stephens

Age: 43

Family: Wife, Traci; two children

Occupation: Cattle rancher

Education: Graduate of the University of the Ozarks

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

Your three priorities if elected:

To provide the citizens of Johnson County the service, guidance, and protection to which they are entitled.

To help ensure Johnson County remains a pleasant, safe, and desirable place to live and raise families. To combat the manufacturing and distribution of illegal narcotics.

Name: Terry Pelts

Age: 40

Family: Wife, Melissa; five children

Occupation: Meter technician

Education: Lamar High School; Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

Your three priorities if elected:

Tougher fight against the manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs which leads to other crimes. More frequent drug education and awareness programs in all schools in Johnson County. Put together a task force comprised of officers from each law enforcement agency in Johnson County (sheriff's office, Clarksville police department, Lamar police department, Coal Hill police department, Arkansas State Police and the Five Judicial District Drug Task Force) to keep track of registered sex offenders living in and moving into Johnson County. To develop a closer working relationship with all law enforcement agencies to better combat the problems in each community.

Name: Norman R. Wood

Age: 58

Family: Wife, Diane; two children

Occupation: Materials manager at Greenville Tube Corp.

Education: High School

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: Six years staff sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division

Your three priorities if elected:

Fight against drugs, starting with children all the way up to manufacturers and dealers.

Sex offenders.

Protecting and serving the citizens of Johnson County.

Logan County Sheriff Democratic nomination

House District 64 (May 5)

Stephanie Malone

Age: 30

Family: Single

Occupation: Director of media planning, E-magination marketing communications firm

Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

Against. There has been widespread agreement that funding from the state lottery causes a long-term decline in direct higher education funding from the legislature.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I support the proposed initiated act. I do not support allowing unmarried couples to adopt or serve as foster parents for children.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

The state police should be allowed to fully serve as a partner with the federal Department of Homeland Security. While this is currently authorized, the governor has not been willing to allow for the arrest and initiation of the deportation process using state resources. The legislature should

require that now, instead of just authorizing it. Additionally, businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens should be subject to financial penalties.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

Yes, but in only limited cases. We must protect traditional agricultural in the process allowing for food processing and livestock cultivation.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

Fort Smith, like all cities in the region, would greatly benefit from more funding from the State Highway Commission and the federal government to complete Interstate 49.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

No. We must do more to prevent onerous regulation by overzealous planning commissions and environmental extremists.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

Creating more economic development opportunities for the state by promoting growth and development in entrepreneurial businesses will be my number one priority. We are beginning to see the benefits of the efforts of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Center in Fort Smith; and the state needs to further develop similar efforts across the state.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

I do support completing the final elimination of the sales tax on food. Additionally, I support the elimination of the income tax for incomes below $75,000 and reducing it for the incomes above $75,000. As we have seen, tax cuts will increase revenue. However, if cuts were needed, I would focus on the pieces of the budget other than education, prisons and healthcare. Those three areas must be maintained at current levels.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

I feel the current ethics laws are adequate.

Brandon Woodrome

Age: 20

Family: Wife, Heather; one child

Occupation: Special operations manager, Wilson Brothers Construction

Education: Northside High School

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

I am against the state-run lottery amendment. The concept of lottery is demeaning to hard work.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I favor the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents. Marriage should be a requirement for adoption.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

Prohibiting state entities from issuing license and other forms of identification without proof of legal status; prohibiting state entities from providing any state regulated benefits without proof of legal status; penalizing any persons or entities who knowingly enter into a contract with, hire or harbor an illegal immigrant (establish a program for entities and persons to easily confirm legal status upon contracting, hiring or harboring); providing local law enforcement the authority to check legal status when a person is charged with any felony, driving while under the influence or confined for any length of time; establishing that all laws be carried out without respect to race, national origin or gender.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

Yes, in certain cases.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

Did not answer

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

For the most part private property owners have been protected. There have been a few instances of discontent amongst property owners and therefore I would support a bill that defined "public use" for minent domain takings.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

There are many issues facing this state, but one that has been avoided and will require the Legislature's attention is the federal avoidance of enforcing federal immigration laws. Discontentment is being raised all over the nation, causing state governments and sometimes concerned citizens to take leadership. Examples of this [are]... the Secure Arkansas proposed initiative and the state of Oklahoma taking up the task of proving to have real solutions. I am ready to address the issue in this state and will sponsor legislation to solve the problem.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

Income taxes should be cut. Beebe cut the grocery tax when he first took office, which saved Arkansans $137 million a year, however, he did not cut one program. In fact, he raised the budget over $200 million because of the surplus.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

The ethics law concerning lobbyists needs to be reformed.
Court of Appeals District 3, Position 2 (May 6)

Name: Courtney Henry

Age: 35

Family: Husband Mark, three children

Occupation: Attorney, Henry Law Firm in Fayetteville

Education: University of Arkansas School of Law; Bachelor's in communications, University of Arkansas

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

Name: Ron Williams

Age: 60

Family: Wife Robyn, three children

Occupation: Attorney, senior partner, Williams and Hutchinson LLP in Rogers

Education: University of Arkansas School of Law; Bachelor's in business administration, Ouachita Baptist University

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division, 1970-72
State House District 65 Democratic nomination (May 7)

Mark Horoda

Age: 45

Family: Single

Occupation: Attorney, Horoda Law Firm PA

Education: Bachelor's degree in English, University of Texas at Arlington; law degree, University of Arkansas School of Law

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: Texas Army National Guard, 1988-92

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

A state lottery is a significant issue. I support putting this issue on the ballot for the people of Arkansas to decide. I am not opposed to a state lottery; however, our government is of the people, and this issue is rightly decided by the people. I will support their wishes.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I would support a ban on unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children and becoming foster parents. Adoption establishes legal rights and responsibilities which are best met through the stability of a traditional family. Likewise, foster parents have a significant influence on the development of a child, and we should strive to encourage our best societal values to be instilled through our foster care system.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

The state should have only a supportive role in enforcing immigration law. The state should avoid taking on costly responsibilities that rightfully belong to the federal government. However, we should not simply ignore the problem, and thereby aid and abet illegal immigration through inaction. The state should pass laws that discourage illegal immigration with minimal enforcement costs and without placing additional burdens on employers. Its time to think outside the box and devise solutions that work. For example, we might require employees to be paid by direct deposit to the individual's bank account and mandate that legal presence in the country be established to open a bank account.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

Yes, a felony crime should be defined for heinous acts of animal torture. This law should be targeted to criminalize the specific behaviors that characterize the developing serial rapist and serial murderer. The statute should be carefully and narrowly drafted to target only heinous behaviors and to protect farming and slaughtering practices.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

I support more transportation funding for Northwest Arkansas because of the rapid growth in our need for roads. The Legislature could authorize road bonds at the current low interest rate and pay off these bonds as we grow our local economy and revenues increase. Although I opposed raising the severance tax because of its negative impact on utility bills for people in my district, the higher severance tax has now become the law. I will fight vigorously to bring our share of highway dollars raised by this tax to North Side Fort Smith.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

Arkansas law should better define a "legitimate public purpose" to justify a government taking of private property. The government should not be allowed to take private property without a legitimate public need. Our law requires payment of "just compensation" to the landowner for his lost property rights. Just compensation is calculated at the land's maximum value at its highest and best conceivable use. If the government takes any private property right, it should be required to compensate the owner at the maximum value.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

My number one priority when elected will be to bring economic prosperity, economic development, and high-paying jobs to the people in my district. I will do this by developing our river front. This will benefit the people of my district, as well as all of Fort Smith. The economy is taking a downturn, and we must be proactive to avoid a serious local impact from recession.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

I support reducing the cost of government first and then reducing our taxes accordingly. The state must remain fiscally responsible and solvent at all times because our state constitution requires a balanced budget. My vision is for economic development and prosperity that will grow our local economy and broaden our revenue base. In turn, this prosperity will stimulate addition investment and revenues. The first tax I would eliminate would be the remaining tax on groceries.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

The ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers appear to be functioning somewhat well and appear adequate to deter improper conduct, so I would not change them except to address a specific deficiency as identified. I would support toughening the ethics rules pertaining to lobbyists to limit undue influence on legislators.

Tracy Pennartz

Age: 59

Family: Single

Occupation: Health care consulting, Pennartz & Associates

Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, University of Arkansas; masters degree in communications, University of Arkansas

Previous political experience: State House member, District 65, 2007-present.

Military experience: U.S. Navy, 1967-70.

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

With regard to a constitutional amendment establishing a lottery, I have not formed a final opinion. With my professional background of 25 years in behavioral healthcare, I am seriously concerned about the mental health problems and the potential for addiction to gambling. In contrast, I am in favor of the net proceeds going to educational scholarships for eligible Arkansas citizens. If the amendment regarding the state lottery is placed on the ballot and the voters approve it, I will follow the will of the people. However, I would strongly advocate that any funding coming from such a lottery would be distributed in a fair and equitable manner always being mindful of the needs of Fort Smith.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I do not see the current necessity of this proposed amendment. Arkansas already has procedures and processes in place that protect our children and has as its purpose to look after the "best interests of the child." Additionally, the proposed amendment creates unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to finding good homes that can provide loving nurturing environments for adoption of foster kids. However, if this initiated act is on the ballot in November and the voters' support it, one of my responsibilities as a state representative from Fort Smith is to ensure that whatever procedures and processes are created comply with the passed act.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

Addressing this issue requires the federal government to cooperate and collaborate with all 50 states. States cannot alone shoulder what is primarily a federal responsibility. The federal government must step up and aid states in the arrest of illegals, their deportation, and take proactive measures to stop the illegal flow of individuals into the United States.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

No one likes to hear reports of animal cruelty. This issue will most likely arise in the 87th General Assembly in 2009. As legislators, we need to see what types of bills are presented and then work together to see if common ground can be reached.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

As a state representative from Fort Smith, I believe that the Arkansas Highway Commission should meet with and deliver regular updated reports/presentations to legislators regarding the needs for road and highway funding across the state. Certainly, I would strongly assert that the needs of Fort Smith be placed in the top tier of priorities for 2008.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

It should be noted that Arkansas is a leader in protecting private property owners from eminent domain takings. If necessary, strengthening Arkansas laws should be addressed by the 87th General Assembly.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

As I continue to walk and talk with my fellow residents on the Northside of Fort Smith, they tell me that having healthcare and having good jobs are the issues of immediate importance to them. Accordingly, these two issues will be at the top of my priority list as their state representative. With regard to economic development, I have been and continue to be active. In the 86th General Assembly, I worked to bring $3 million dollars back to Fort Smith of which $2 million dollars was presented to the U.S. Marshals Museum by Gov. [Mike] Beebe. Additionally, I have been very supportive of local economic development efforts that within the last 10 months have yielded seven major business announcements creating 1,600+ jobs in our area. The location of the U.S. Marshals Museum on the river front in north Fort Smith is its anchor project and is just the beginning of future economic activity on the river front. Health-care issues legislators will wrestle with in the 87th General Assembly include strengthening/revising behavioral health-care services for children, addressing the shortage of health professionals (e.g. nurses and doctors) throughout Arkansas, and the funding of a statewide trauma system. Of course, continued funding to ensure an adequate education for all Arkansas kids is always an important matter.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

It is only prudent to base budget and revenue decisions upon full economic data, current revenue and expenditure reports as well as economic forecasts provided to legislators by the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration. As a state representative, I receive monthly reports which reflect the economic status of Arkansas. Balancing the needs of Fort Smith and her citizens with monies available to meet meet those needs adequately is always a challenge.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

I am sure that there are some areas of the ethics rules that need revision. Specific changes would most likely be presented, discussed and debated in the House Rules Committee. In addition, I would seek input from my constituents about their ideas and suggestions for ethics reform. Of course, I believe that I always have a great responsibility to the citizens of Fort Smith.
State House District 100 Republican nomination (May 9)

Mary Lou Slinkard

Age: 64

Family: Three children

Occupation: Benton County clerk

Education: Gravette High School

Previous political experience: County clerk, 1981-present

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

I don't have a strong opinion on it, but I also believe that we're surrounded by lottery states now. I'd probably vote for it because of where the money goes, to education. But the state should be transparent about where the money goes.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

Favor. We already have that marriage is between a man and woman. I think married folks should be the ones who are adopting. ... That's just the way I was raised.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

I'm not sure about the state's role, because it's a federal issue. I know other states have passed strict immigration laws. If Arkansas does, we could learn from other states, so it can be practically implemented. I'd go to Little Rock with an open mind not with a preconceived idea of what has to pass.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

In certain cases, like someone deliberately being cruel, it should be punishable as a felony on the first offense. However, when it begins to infringe on the farmer's ability to care for their own, then I would not favor it. I'm a member of the Arkansas Farm Bureau and would follow their recommendation.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

I'm not so sure the Legislature can do anything. I would have favored the severance tax increase because the revenue will go for highways.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

I would have to know more about that before I can be specific. There has to be fair market compensation to the property owner, and it should be for infrastructure, for public use only, for water, sewer and highways, for example.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

I don't have any pet projects. I'm just a genuine country girl here. I'm not trying to go down there and make a name for myself. I just want to go and do a as good a job as I possibly can for the people of this area, and for the people of the state. Working together is what it's going to take, communication.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

I've never said I'm going to go down there and cut taxes. I think one of the things I would do is study this. I think if a tax can be cut, it should be the rest of the tax off groceries.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

I will not make deal. That's not what I'm about, "you vote for my bill, and I'll vote for yours." The people's business is more serious than that. I'm not sure if they're strong enough or not, but it's my understanding that all public officials should be reporting all contributions and gifts. The gift limits seem to be fair as I understand them.

Byron Warren

Age: 35

Family: Wife Tracy; one child

Occupation: Captain, Siloam Springs Fire Department

Education: Gregory Portland High School, Portland, Texas; attended University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Previous political experience: Gravette City Council, 1999-present

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

I am against it. It's just an incentive for the poor to invest with the little money they have. As a lawmaker I don't want to make the poor poorer.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I favor the act because it's best for a child's needs in life to have a mother and a father figure.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

The state should look at working with federal immigration authorities to enforce federal immigration laws, and the state should also be able to enforce immigration laws by giving local law enforcement the ability to enforce such laws.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

I am for tougher laws in Arkansas, but I need to study the legislation more to understand what is actually the issue with the crime and punishment of animal cruelty now.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

I'd like the state to pass a constitutional amendment that would give authority back to the Legislature on how the money is spent. And I'd also like to try to make legislation setting spending priorities where the traffic congestion is.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

No, because there is no defined definition of what public use is in state law. We need to define that.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

My No. 1 priority would be more funding for highways, strengthening property rights and cutting taxes to spur economic development and job growth. And to fight illegal immigration.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

Reducing the state income tax, if not eliminating it completely. ... I don't see that it would be a shortfall. With lower taxes, you'd increase your economic growth in the region. I don't have a set rate. Once again I have to study when I get down there to better understand what needs to happen. I would also repeal the streamline tax, which is irresponsible.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

Right now, I think that Arkansas has one of the toughest ethics laws in the country. But having said that, as a lawmaker we are going down there to represent the people. I feel sometimes some lawmakers go down and feel they can be bought. We have to remember why we're there.
State House District 85 Democratic nomination (May 10)

Mark Steven Fowler

Age: 48

Family: One child

Occupation: Architect, Mark Steven Fowler Architects in Harrison

Education: Bachelor's degree in architecture, University of Arkansas Previous political experience: 12 years on Harrison City Council

Military experience: None

1) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

I will support the vote of the people. However, a lot of our money leaves this county to [the lottery in] Missouri, and I don't like to see money leaving the state. I do think that lotteries take advantage of certain types of people.

2) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I will vote for that. I think a child needs a typical parent relationship, with a man and a woman. I have nothing against people living the life they want to live, but I do think that raising a child in that environment is unfair to the child.

3) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

I wish the federal government would address illegal immigration more than they have. At the state level, I think we need to keep illegal immigrants from taking jobs away from Arkansans and financially burdening Arkansas taxpayers with their medical care and subsidies.

4) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

That question is vague. If this question is in reference to people who do not take proper care of their livestock and pets, I think this is too harsh a penalty for a first offence. If, however, this question is in reference to animal fighting, then that is a different matter.

5) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

If the issue is highway funding, then the new severance tax on natural gas should increase revenue substantially. If we are talking about public transportation, we need to invest in van/car/bus pooling efforts to reduce gas consumption and traffic congestion.

6) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

I think property owners need to be reimbursed at a higher rate than they are for their property taken for right of way for utilities or new highway projects. They reimburse for value at that time, but once those improvements are made the property value will be higher than before. So when we reimburse property owners, we should use a higher percentage ... like 1.25 times the assessed value. I feel strongly that eminent domain should only be used for public projects.

7) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

One of the primary constitutional mandates of the Arkansas State Legislature is funding education. So my priorities would be to bring Arkansas education standards up to, or above, the national standards in both public school education and higher education.

8) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

I think the overall state income tax could be reduced. The last two years, the State of Arkansas has had a surplus of funding. For example, the city of Harrison got a substantial increase in turnback from the state and $80,000 for capital improvements. The state was spreading around the surplus to the cities and counties. Why did they collect that money if they didn't need it? The money should be given back to the taxpayers to stimulate the economy, pay for higher education, etc., as they see fit.

9) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

I don't know much about ethics legislation, but I do know one thing - the lobbyists play a much bigger role in determining state law than I think they ought to. I'm afraid that their influence undermines the voters' influence. Legislators need to realize they're there for their constituents. Lobbying sometimes clouds that. The role of the gifts lobbyists are allowed to give state legislators might need to be looked at. Meals don't bother me too much ... you talk business while breaking bread. But the practice of giving gifts for no apparent reason ought to be limited.

Bill Witty

Age: 46

Family: Wife, Debbie; two daughters

Occupation: Cattle farmer and owner, Witty's Used Cars in Harrison

Education: Valley Springs High School; attended North Arkansas College in Harrison

Previous political experience: None

Military experience: None

1.) Are you for or against a constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery? Why?

Our area is already exposed to state lotteries as we live close to Missouri. It's a shame that Arkansas and Boone County dollars go to Missouri to be spent on state lotteries. That said, I would want to know more about revenue generation and allocation before I would decide my position on this. I think the people of Boone County are very proud of our quality of life here and I'm not sure that a state lottery is a main concern of our voters right now.

2.) Do you favor or oppose the proposed initiated act to ban unmarried cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents? Why?

I would want to see a proposal and study the cause and effect of that proposal before I made a decision.

3.) What should be the state's role in enforcing immigration law?

Immigration seems to be one of our voters' greatest concerns. We must start dealing with this issue statewide. However, we need to be careful that any laws passed are laws that can be effectively enforced locally and supported by federal agencies. It will be easier and less of a concern if our federal government will do a better job on their end.

4.) Should the Legislature establish a crime of felony animal cruelty that is punishable on the first offense, in certain cases?

I would want to see a proposal and study the cause and effect of that proposal before I made a decision.

5.) How can the Legislature work to bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas?

I truly can't say how the legislature can bring more transportation funding to Northwest Arkansas. I think the severance tax increase will prove out to be a good revenue generation for county road improvements. The 85th District doesn't always get included in discussions about Northwest Arkansas needs and I think we need to work on identifying where Boone County fits geographically in the state. I would work hard for any funding and improvements that better connect our area to the west.

6.) Are the state's eminent domain laws sufficient to protect property owners?

On the matter of animal cruelty, adoption by unmarried couples, and eminent domain laws, to say I would be for or against tightening or changing without having the opportunity to study a proposal and effects would be premature. I have dealt with eminent domain and while it is often a frustration as a property owner, we must be careful not to seek changes that might sound good but create a process that is more difficult to deal with.

7.) What would be your No. 1 priority if elected?

I have several priorities, but would consider the welfare of our public schools and colleges as well as improvements to our local fire departments and law enforcement agencies to be my greatest concerns.

8.) Everyone says they're for lower taxes. If you say you're for that, what taxes would you reduce and how would you propose to make up the shortfall in the budget, through spending cuts or raising revenue? If through cuts, please be specific.

It's pretty simple to see that any lower taxes would need to be offset by spending reductions. It would be hard for a candidate who has never served to form an opinion about where cuts could be made in spending without knowing the significance of funds being cut. I'm sure at one time or another every project funded had merit worthy of its approval. I think a good representative looking for spending cuts would start with old programs to see what values they still provide, or overhauls they might require.

9.) Should ethics rules pertaining to lawmakers be changed? If so, how?

I would always be in favor of ethics rules requiring tougher oversight.