The National Rifle Association has endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson of Rogers and Democratic candidate Mike Ross of Little Rock in their respective primaries, Hutchinson and Ross said Tuesday, and the candidates pitched their campaigns to the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
Hutchinson, who is vying with businessman Curtis Coleman of Little Rock for their party’s gubernatorial nomination in the May 20 primary, said he’s always had a close relationship with the NRA and appreciates the NRA’s “strong advocacy for freedom in our country, including our Second Amendment rights.
“I was pleased to lead the national effort on school safety on behalf of the NRA following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and to defend the 2nd Amendment when it was under assault by President [Barack] Obama and his allies,” Hutchinson said in a written statement.
Coleman said he is surprised that the NRA has endorsed Hutchinson, who said in April 2013 that he is open to expanding background checks.
“Unlike Asa Hutchinson, I would never have thought to endorse one of the most staunch proponents of gun control in America, Attorney General Eric Holder,” Coleman said. Hutchinson has called his support for Holder to be U.S. attorney general in 2008 “a huge political mistake,” adding he called for Holder’s resignation last year.
In response, a spokesman for Hutchinson referred to a written statement from Chris Cox, chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund, who said that Hutchinson “has been a stalwart defender of gun rights, our hunting heritage, and our right to self-defense” throughout his career in public service.
Hutchinson, an attorney, a former 3rd District congressman and former federal homeland security undersecretary, said his favorite shotgun is his Remington 870 Express 12 gauge, and his favorite handgun is his Springfield .45 semi-automatic that holds 13 rounds.
Ross, who is being challenged by Lynette Bryant of Little Rock for their party’s gubernatorial nomination, said he is proud to once again receive the NRA’s endorsement and earn an A rating from the group “as a result of my proven record of fighting to protect our Second Amendment rights.
“As governor, I will continue to bring Democrats and Republicans together to strengthen the Second Amendment, and I will oppose any and all efforts to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners in Arkansas,” Ross said in a written statement.
Ross, a former 4th District congressman and state senator, said his favorite guns are the Remington 11-87 12-gauge shotgun for duck hunting and the Browning .270 rifle for deer hunting.
Bryant, who has been a substitute teacher, could not be reached for comment by telephone Tuesday afternoon.
In other races for statewide office, auditor candidate Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, and treasurer candidate Rep. Duncan Baird, R-Lowell, said Tuesday that they have been endorsed by the NRA in their primary races.
Speaking before several dozen people attending the Farm Bureau’s measure-the-candidate meeting in North Little Rock earlier Tuesday, Ross said he will work with the Farm Bureau to protect the state’s sales-tax exemptions for agriculture.
He said he is a conservative Democrat who is fed up with the extremes of the Democratic and Republican parties and will work with everyone who will work with him to make Arkansas a better place to live, work and raise a family.
An audience member later asked if Ross ever considered running as an independent.
Ross said he has been a conservative Democrat “all my life and the national party has left me.
“My goal is to rebuild the Democratic Party of Arkansas based on our values, the kind of values that my grandpa Avery taught his children and helped teach me when I was young,” he said, adding his plans to improve education, create jobs, and grant lower and fairer taxes reflect “common sense Arkansas values.
“Look, you gotta run as something and I have always been a Democrat and I am proud to be a conservative Democrat, but … the last thing we need is for our state government to look like our national government,” he said.
Rather than speaking about agricultural issues, Bryant reiterated her complaints that the state Democratic Party is not treating her fairly and not promoting her candidacy against Ross.
As governor, Coleman said he would focus on property and privacy rights that have a direct effect on farmers’ ability to make profits.
“I will oppose rural land use planning that will infringe upon your right or ability to profitably operate your farm or your ranch. I also do not support the increase in government-owned lands or land use,” he said. “I oppose habitat or critical-habitat legislation, which restricts the right of property owners.”
He said he’s concerned about the loss of water in aquifers in southeast Arkansas, and committed to supporting projects that would make water available for irrigation.
Hutchinson said he is opposed to new federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations that would expand the definition of navigable waterways to include ponds, ditches and other still-water sources common on farms.
“As a governor of this state, I want to make sure that our [Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality] not only protects our water quality in Arkansas, but also makes sure the government regulations and mandates coming from Washington [do] not unfairly and inappropriately regulate our farmers out of business,” he said.
Hutchinson said he hopes state law would clearly affirm the right to use water for agricultural purposes in the state water plan being discussed. He also said he hoped to continue financial support for research institutions across the state developing technology and offering support to the state’s farmers such as the University of Arkansas’ cooperative extension system.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/23/2014