TRI-LAKES AREA — Dawn Creekmore has things to do, and her time as a state representative is quickly running out.
To continue her work, Creekmore, D-East End, said she will run for state Senate, representing District 22. Rep. Dan Greenberg, RLittle Rock, and Todd Witham, D Little Rock, also have announced their candidacies for the position. Vicky Morris, a Democrat from Shannon Hills, announced she will run for Creekmore's House seat.
"People everywhere have asked me to do this," Creekmore, 44, said. "We have so much that still needs to be done."
Creekmore will be filling Sen.Shane Broadway's seat, who is term-limited. Broadway, D-Bryant, still has 1 1/2 years left in his term and said he has not made any future plans.
"I am just looking at all of my options," Broadway said. "A lot of it will depend on my wife, because she is in bad health."
"I know I have big shoes to fill, but I can fill them and am ready to do so," Creekmore said.
Creekmore took her husband, Mike's, House position in 2005 and is in her third term as District 27 representative. The Creekmores and their two daughters moved to Bauxite so she would be eligible for the seat.
"I have received a lot of support, but my family had to be on board," Creekmore said. "My youngest daughter has been attending Bauxite schools for a while, so we have been looking to move. It's too right.
"I started my campaign the day I announced. I am just trying to get my name out. I am going to meet as many people as I can and do whatever it takes to get my name out."
Creekmore said the foundation of her campaign will be her record.
"I think my record speaks for itself," Creekmore said. "I am accessible; I work hard; I get things done, and I do not giveup. I'll continue to be tough on criminals and will work for consumer protection, focus on protecting our children and the elderly. I will also focus on education to ensure that our children receive the best education possible so that they will be able to compete in the workplace in the future."
This past session, 17 of the 23 bills she introduced became state law - most notably Juli's Law.
The law is named for 21-year old Benton resident Juli Busken who was abducted in December 1996 in Norman, Okla. She was raped and shot to death in Oklahoma City.
Juli's Law says the DNA samples will be taken from all suspects charged with murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in the first and second degree.Before the law, DNA was not taken until the suspect was convicted of the crime.
"Unless a judge signs off on it, the DNA is not collected until conviction," Creekmore said.
"This will save so much money, and it doesn't waste time on the wrong suspect. This will help solve crimes exponentially."
John Ramsey, father of 6 -year-old Jon-Benet Ramsey who was killed in Boulder, Colo., testified in favor of Juli's Law.
"John Ramsey was by my side the entire time," Creekmore said.
"He has done a lot of research and he helped a lot."
Creekmore said if elected to the Senate she would like to expand Juli's Law to include rape and other felony charges.
The Democrat has sponsored several other bills, which cover domestic violence, partial-birth abortion and credit security freezes.
"I feel like I need to be a voice for those who don't have one," Creekmore said.
"They are the ones that are forgotten. The system has let them down and they have no where else to go. It's now my responsibility." - epannell@arkansasonline.com
Tri-Lakes, Pages 61, 64 on 07/16/2009