LITTLE ROCK — A Republican Congressional leader Tuesday pledged to secure Rick Crawford a spot on the House Agricultural Committee if he wins the 1st Congressional District seat in November.
The move appears to be an attempt to bolster Crawford’s chances in what looks to be a hard-fought race in the heavily agricultural district represented by Democrats since Reconstruction.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, released a statement saying that Crawford has “my full support” for a spot on the 46-member panel.
“Rick’s been in the agriculture business for years and understands the challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. He would be a strong advocate for solutions that address the issues facing agriculture communities,” Boehner said in a statement released by the Republican National Congressional Committee.
Crawford, 44, lives in Jonesboro and owns and operates the AgWatch Network, an agricultural broadcasting company. This is his first run for political office.
Crawford will face Chad Causey, the former chief of staff for retiring U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, in the Nov. 2 election.
National Republicans have tried to paint Causey as a Washington insider, pointing to corporate and political action committee campaign contributions and his decade long employment with Berry, who has held the seat in the26-county district since his election in 1996.
Berry served on the agriculture committee from 1997 to 2002. Currently, none of the state’s four congressman is on the panel.
On Tuesday, Jonah Shumate, Crawford’s campaign manager, said the House Republican leader’s boost for Crawford wasn’t an indication of insider politics being played across the partisan aisle.
“You need a good, trusted, experienced voice on that issue. Rick fits the mold,” Shumate said.
Causey released a statement Tuesday emphasizing his independence from partisan obligations.
“I’m not going to be influenced by the promises of Washington politicians from either party. I’m talking to Arkansans every day who are concerned about losing their job, losing their Social Security and Medicare, and getting our country back on the track to financial responsibility. I’m ready to fight for Arkansans on day one, and I’m going to work hard every day till Nov. 2 to earn their trust.”
In recent weeks, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012, endorsed Crawford as did Crawford’s primary opponent, former congressional aide Princella Smith.
Causey, who has the backing of Berry and former President Bill Clinton, doesn’t yet have an endorsement from his primary opponent, former state Sen. Tim Wooldridge.
Wooldridge said Tuesday that he has had a “preliminary pleasant” conversation with Causey, but “doesn’t have a timetable or time frame at all” for an endorsement.
Causey has also been endorsed by the Blue Dog Coalition, a collection of 54 conservative and moderate Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Mike Ross.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 06/24/2010