Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Conner Eldridge said Monday that federal instructions on transgender students' use of restrooms and locker rooms aren't needed, while a spokesman for Democratic congressional candidate Dianne Curry said she supports the federal instructions.
The U.S. Department of Education on Friday sent letters to school districts across the country that directed educators to let transgender students use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identities. The letter threatens legal action or the withholding of federal funds for a refusal to comply.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, recommended that school districts in Arkansas disregard the directive.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., of Rogers, said Friday that he rejects "this attempt by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education to control our schools from Washington and [supports] Gov. Hutchinson's call for Arkansas' school districts to ignore the blatant abuse of power by the president."
State Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb late Friday challenged Eldridge to renounce what Webb called President Barack Obama's "unlawful and overreaching mandate to force his beliefs on Arkansans and all Americans."
Eldridge said Monday in a written statement, "In Arkansas, we can protect the rights of all children while we also take every precaution necessary to keep every child safe. I trust local educators to do this. We don't need a federal directive, and the one issued last week was unnecessary and misplaced."
"Unlike my opponent, I am not afraid to call out members of my own party and clearly state when I disagree with them," said Eldridge of Fayetteville.
Obama appointed Eldridge as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Eldridge served from Dec. 21, 2010, through Aug. 21, 2015. In September, he announced his bid for the U.S. Senate.
Boozman's campaign manager, Chris Caldwell, said, "John Boozman has always fought for Arkansas, and stood up to President Obama's countless attempts to force his agenda on Arkansans.
"Meanwhile, our opponent, while working for President Obama over the last five years, has sat silently by allowing these actions to threaten the livelihood of every person in our state. It is clear that Senator Boozman is the only person in this race that will fight against the liberal agenda in Washington," Caldwell said in a written statement.
When asked whether Curry supports the federal guidance to school districts, her campaign manager, Daniel J. Berkowitz, replied, "Yes, Dianne supports the president's efforts to create safe environments for all students."
"Parents, teachers and schools were asking for clarification and she believes that's what the president did," Berkowitz said in a written statement.
Curry of Little Rock said in a written statement Sunday night that "as a mother, a grandmother and a former member of the Little Rock School Board, I have always spoken up for and fought to guarantee that every child, no matter who they are, is afforded an equal right to a quality education in an environment free from discrimination on any basis. I will continue to do so as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in the 2nd District, and if so fortunate, as a member of the House of Representatives."
U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Little Rock Republican and the incumbent in that district, said Monday in a written statement, "The decision of the federal government to deliver guidelines to Arkansas schools on gender identification is outside the scope of its power and should remain in the hands of our local school officials and administrators."
"Our local school officials should exercise common sense and do what they believe is best to continue to ensure a school environment for Arkansas's students that promotes safety and health above all else," Hill said in the statement.
Metro on 05/17/2016