Arkansas Congressional Delegation Remains Unchanged

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: With the end of the political filings for the US Senate and US Congressman from Arkansas, only the incumbents filed for office. Only Senator Mark Pryor and the four Arkansas US Congressmen were up for re-election this year. Unlike Sen. Blanche Lincoln who has generally pursued a liberal agenda and earned herself the Porker of the Month award last year, Senator Mark Pryor has remained more centered in his positions and has led by example if not by actually occupying a position in the Senate leadership. Sen. Pryor has supported several conservative positions including the Military Commissions Act, for the Protect America Act, for telecom immunity, support for the Troops in Iraq adn opposed every Iraq redeployment measure. Also during his current term of office, he brokered an agreement with senators from both his parties which prevented a melt-down over confirmation of judicial nominations. These actions left him a strong enough position that he was not even challenged by former presidential candidate and governor Mike Huckabee.

As for the four U.S. Congressmen returning to Congress, their positions do merit some consideration. Rep. John Boozman [R, AR-3] has remained attuned to his constituents and remained true to his conservative principles. The results the Arkansas Democrat Party, the majority party in Arkansas, could not field a candidate to challenge Rep. Boozman. Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4] voted both conservative on some issues and left of center on others. However, his leadership among Blue Dog Democrats has gained him respect by both Republicans and Democrats in his district.

However, two elected officials should have been challenged. The first is Rep. Victor Snyder [D, AR-2] with his extreme liberal voting record which shows at best his minimum willingness to support the positions of Arkansans verses his fellow liberal constituents. The second is Rep. Robert "Marion" Berry [D, AR-1] whose less than professional appearance and demeanor have even been highlighted by the Arkansas press and Berry's taste for pork for his own personal benefit in the form of farm subsidies. Unfortunately, an anemic Republican Party of Arkansas' (RPA's) lack of both funds and willing candidates resulted in Snyder and Berry running unopposed. However, the RPA was successful in its focus on State level congressional positions and has already gained the re-election and election without opposition of several members of the legislature. In addition, the RPA has fielded several other legislative candidates.

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