WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina picked up endorsements from three Northwest Arkansas legislators Monday, and the former Hewlett-Packard chief executive's campaign said she intends to battle for Arkansans' support.
Unlike in 2008, when Mike Huckabee had little organized opposition in his home state, the former Arkansas governor has multiple challengers who say they'll fight to carry the state in the March 1 primary.
Huckabee, who declared his candidacy in May, has lined up endorsements from nearly all the state's constitutional officers and members of the Arkansas congressional delegation. Fourteen state representatives and five state senators were listed as members of Huckabee's Arkansas leadership team when it was announced in September.
But a few Arkansas Republican elected officials are aligning with Huckabee's opponents, arguing that other candidates are more likely to win and better able to lead.
State Reps. Grant Hodges and Rebecca Petty, both of Rogers, and Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Springdale all announced their support for Fiorina on Monday.
"She brings a lot of business acumen to the table. I'm a small-business owner, and she appeals to me," Lundstrum said in an interview. "I think she'd do an excellent job."
In an interview, Hodges said he was impressed by Fiorina's debate performances. "I think she's the most articulate and does the best job of presenting the conservative message in a clear and a positive way. I like that she's not coming from inside the political establishment or the political class," he said.
The 25-year-old first-term legislator wasn't even old enough to vote when Huckabee won the 2008 Arkansas presidential primary.
And by the time Hodges won a seat in the Arkansas Legislature, Huckabee had already built a beach house in the Florida panhandle and switched his voter registration to the Sunshine State.
"I have a lot of respect for Gov. Huckabee. I've heard him give speeches for years now and have met him a couple of times, and I really appreciate what he's done for Arkansas ... but really I just think it's time for change and time for a new face," Hodges said.
But state Sen. Jason Rapert of Bigelow, one of the legislators loyal to Huckabee, says he's still the best candidate to lead America.
No other candidate has Huckabee's "level of executive experience," Rapert said.
In addition, no other candidate has Huckabee's track record when it comes to the Clintons, he said. "Politically, Gov. Mike Huckabee ran against and fought against the Clinton political machine in the state of Arkansas when it was at its strongest, and he won." Former Arkansas first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton, is a Democratic candidate for president.
Unlike last time, Huckabee "has the resources and the people on the ground" that he'll need to win, Rapert said. "If he can continue in this race, he has the ability to win that nomination, and he would make an excellent president of the United States."
In 2008, Huckabee received more than 60 percent of the vote in Arkansas, garnering three times as many votes as the eventual Republican presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
But Hal Bass, a political science professor at Ouachita Baptist University, says the political landscape has changed since the last time Huckabee ran.
The Hope native hasn't been on the Arkansas ballot in years and he's got several strong opponents vying for the support of social conservatives this time, Bass added.
"I think he still has an advantaged position, but it's not nearly as formidable as it was last time around. He still has an infrastructure here, still has a lot of personal loyalties here, but I don't think it's either as intense or broad as it was in 2008," Bass said. "We're a long way from March 1, and I don't think he can take Arkansas for granted."
Asked about the difference between the 2008 and the 2016 election years, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, a Huckabee supporter, says the Republican Party is bigger and stronger this time.
"I think there's a lot more vigorous debate and competition in it, both at the state and federal races," he said.
There are also a lot more Republican elected officials in Arkansas to court than in previous election cycles.
Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb says candidates don't have to win Arkansas outright, for if if they capture more than 15 percent of the vote, they can at least claim some delegates.
And there are plenty of presidential candidates convinced that Arkansas votes are still up for grabs, he said.
Webb, who backed Huckabee in 2008, isn't endorsing anyone ahead of the primary, and he says he doesn't like to make predictions.
"At this time, it appears that Arkansas is trending the way national polls are trending. But with Gov. Huckabee in the mix as one of the candidates, his having served as governor for 10 years, appointed every board and commission member during his tenure in office, I would expect that he will do very well in Arkansas," Webb said.
Thirteen Republican presidential candidates paid $25,000 each early this month to gain a spot on the ballot, and they're working to woo prominent party figures.
Former Arkansas House Speaker Davy Carter of Cabot has signed on with Jeb Bush, a two-term governor of Florida who is a brother and son of former presidents.
Carter says Bush is "the most electable" and that, "in these times of turmoil, I think he's the right person for the job."
"I think he did a great job as governor there ,and I think at the end of the day that he has shown common-sense leadership that the country needs right now," Carter said. "You know, he's not polarizing like some of the other candidates are. I don't think we need another polarizing figure in the White House."
State Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs has endorsed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, citing his intelligence and his family background. "He has experienced the American dream unlike any other candidate in the election. His mom was a maid and his dad was a bartender and his grandparents were refugees from a communist country. and they've seen what hard work and, most importantly, opportunity will give you in the United States," Hester said.
State Rep. Bob Ballinger of Hindsville backs U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, saying he'll make the kind of sweeping changes necessary to fix the federal budget and change Washington. "I do love Huckabee's stances and allowing his spirituality to come forward and his strong position on social issues, but we need somebody who's a fiscal conservative as well, and I think we need somebody who's a fighter, not willing to just make tweaks," Ballinger said.
State Rep. Mathew Pitsch of Fort Smith filed paperwork on behalf of John Kasich, saying the Ohio governor's "experience and record of success is unmatched by anyone else in the field."
But many Arkansas Republicans say they're sticking with a candidate they've stood beside over the years.
"I've known Gov. Huckabee for a long time. I've worked with him on many many issues," said U.S. Sen. John Boozman. "He's our state's favorite son, and nobody's a better communicator. And he certainly has a lot of people in Arkansas that will be supporting him."
A Section on 11/17/2015