UPDATE
CONWAY — Former President Bill Clinton led a campaign rally Monday at the University of Central Arkansas, urging the crowd to register to vote and cast ballots for Democratic candidates.
Clinton spoke after and alongside Democratic candidates Patrick Henry Hays, the former North Little Rock mayor running for Congress in the 2nd District; Mike Ross, the former U.S. Representative running for governor; and U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, who is seeking reelection against Republican challenger Tom Cotton.
"Historically in non-presidential years there's a big drop off in the youth vote," Clinton told the crowd, which numbered more than 1,000 people and included a large number of students. "And the opponents of these candidates are betting there will be this year. And I'm betting there won't be. And it's up to you."
Clinton said the three candidates he stood beside all have shown they can work with both Democrats and Republicans, which Clinton said is critical and part of what gives Gov. Mike Beebe the "highest approval rating of any governor in America."
Beebe also spoke and stood on stage with Clinton and several other Democratic hopefuls also addressed the crowd, including lieutenant governor candidate John Burkhalter and land commissioner candidate Mark Robertson.
Beebe noted Monday is the last day to register to vote, directing students who hadn't to volunteers in the audience with clipboards of information on how to complete the process.
"Every vote counts," Beebe said. "A big turnout means these folks win."
Hays, who faces Republican French Hill, said he would find a way to "make Washington functional again" while Pryor, who closed his speech by taking a "selfie" photograph with Clinton on stage, knocked Cotton for votes in favor of cutting the Pell Grant program and increasing interest rates for Stafford student loans.
Ross asked the supporters to get the word out about both early voting and election day on Nov. 4.
"All these races are very close," said Ross, who faces Republican Asa Hutchinson. "We're working night and day. I'm asking you to join us over the next 29 days."
Clinton, the last to speak, said Republicans are invoking President Barack Obama in their ads because they want voters to cast ballots in a "protest" against the current administration. He said votes should be cast for "what you are for and not what you are against," adding Obama will be out of office in two years regardless.
"It's a pretty good scam, isn't it?" he said. "Get me a six-year job for a two year protest."
Clinton delved into some of the issues in the specific races, praising the state's Private Option Medicaid expansion and criticizing Cotton for voting against the Farm Bill. He also stressed the importance of voting, reminding the crowd how he last month became a grandfather and you "care more about the future when you get a kid or grandkid."
"Why would you not vote?" Clinton asked. "It's your future."
— Gavin Lesnick
EARLIER
CONWAY — Former President Bill Clinton is headlining a series of rallies around the state this week to drum up support for Arkansas Democrats.
Clinton is set to appear at rallies Monday in Conway and Jonesboro and at events Tuesday in Rogers and Fayetteville. The rallies occur two weeks before the Oct. 20 start of early voting for the election, which features heated races for U.S. Senate and governor.
Clinton's visit comes after Republicans enlisted a parade of national figures to stump for their nominees, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former presidential nominee Mitt Romney, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. The GOP has used the visits to try and highlight how unpopular President Barack Obama and other national Democratic figures remain in Arkansas.
— The Associated Press