Poinsett County Assessor Johnny Rye Jr. of Trumann and former state Rep. Wes Wagner of Manila are changing political parties to run as Republicans for a state House seat that Wagner lost as a Democrat in 2014.
They gave different reasons Monday for departing the Democratic Party for the Republican Party to seek the District 54 seat, held by Leachville Republican David Wallace, next year.
Wallace recently announced his bid to oppose Democratic state Sen. David Burnett of Osceola.
Rye and Wagner announced their switch at the Mississippi County Republican Committee's Lincoln Day dinner.
House District 54 includes parts of Mississippi and Poinsett counties.
Rye's and Wagner's announcements came after state Rep. Mike Holcomb of Pine Bluff announced Aug. 20 that he's a Republican and no longer a Democrat.
The state House of Representatives is composed of 64 Republicans, 35 Democrats and an independent, state Rep. Nate Bell of Mena.
The state Senate has 24 Republicans and 11 Democrats.
Rye, Poinsett County assessor since 1991, said he decided about two months ago to change parties to run for the House seat, and he started voting for both Democrats and Republicans in elections in about 2007.
The U.S. Supreme Court's June 26 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage "was basically what changed my mind" about what party he should represent, said Rye, 59.
"The Democratic Party pretty much stood behind that ruling and the Republican Party didn't, and still doesn't," he said.
He said he opposes same-sex marriage based on his "biblical and Christian beliefs."
Wagner, a 36-year-old attorney, said he decided to switch parties with the encouragement of his supporters after he consulted them after his loss to Wallace in the 2014 general election.
"I think it just lines up with me best personally," said Wagner, who served in the state House from 2013-15.
"A lot of your old conservative Democrats like myself resonate with the Republican platform right now," he said.
Wagner said he respects the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
"I want to take my time to craft a RFRA [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] that everyone can be happy with," Wagner said.
Wagner said his decision to bolt the Democratic Party "has been an ongoing, fluid discussion that's been really positive about pursuing the state representative seat as Republican."
He said he voted for President Barack Obama in 2008 in "more of a vote against the Iraq war and [Sarah] Palin as vice president." But he said he didn't vote for Obama for president in 2012 because he said Obama has "been a bad president."
Rye said he voted for Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain in 2008 and the GOP's presidential nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, in 2012.
Asked about Rye's and Wagner's decisions to run as Republicans, state Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb of Benton said Monday that the Democratic Party of Arkansas does not represent the values of Arkansans.
"As such, many former Democrats are joining the Republican Party. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds to join the new majority party, and stand up for conservative, Arkansas values," Webb said in a written statement.
"Though we are currently unaware of any other individuals seeking that seat, we welcome conservatives of all backgrounds to seek elected office as Republicans," Webb added.
Wallace said Rye and Wagner are "good candidates for the Republican Party. Both will do every well."
State Democratic Party spokesman H.L. Moody said Monday that he had no comment about Rye and Wagner. He said he has no "specific [Democratic] candidates to report at this time" for the House District 54 seat.
Mississippi County Democratic Committee Chairman Sandra Kennedy Mitchell declined to comment Monday on Rye and Wagner changing parties.
Metro on 09/06/2015