RPA Executive Director: And Then There Were Two (UPDATE – It’s Chase)
David Kinkade wakes up from a month long nap to find that he has a hot tip on the search for the new executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas. It seems the search has come down to RPA political director Chase Dugger (no relation to Jim Bob) and former press secretary for Gov. Mike Huckabee Alice Stewart. I like both Dugger and Stewart and think either one would do a fine job as executive director; however, I believe the choice of the RPA executive committee will say a lot about the direction they want to go.
Stewart would bring a wealth of experience to the position, particularly experience dealing with the media. She served as the press secretary for Mike Huckabee both as governor and for his 2008 Presidential Campaign. Prior to that she worked as an on air reporter for KARK Channel 4 in Little Rock. She has also recently been helping out with press relations for the RPA. She is widely known around the state and the country. However, I have trouble seeing Stewart staying on as the executive director for an extended period of time. It seems more than likely that she will be working on a Presidential campaign during the 2012 cycle, either with Gov. Huckabee or someone else if he does not run. In my opinion, bringing her on as executive director would signal that the executive committee wants someone who can increase the party’s exposure quickly and gear up for a high profile election cycle in 2010 but not necessary someone who will be around for a long term basis.
Dugger by contrast represents the future of the party. His political experience is certainly nothing to sneeze at. He currently serves as the political director for the RPA and came on shortly before the 2008 election cycle in which the state picked up three legislative seats. Previously, he worked as the campaign manager for Mickey “Stubby” Stumbaugh for Congress was active in College Republican and Young Republican groups. Dugger is one of the types of guys that works constantly behind the scenes to make sure the little things get done correctly. If a Republican ran for office in 2008 in Arkansas, they most likely at one time got help from Dugger. Because of this, he has support from many of the state elected officials which of course carries a lot of weight with the executive committee. In my opinion, selecting Dugger would signal that they want to bring on someone that can grow into the position. If he is successful, I could see Chase staying in this position for sometime and provide a lot of support and focus on our own state level races.
In my view, either candidate will excel in the position. But it will be interesting to see what direction the executive committee will choose to move the party with their selection.
UPDATE - According to Max Brantley, Chase Dugger got the nod.
Note to my Republican friends on the executive committee, what are you doing calling Max Brantley for inside tips like these instead of the Tolbert Report or even David Kinkade?. And we wonder why the liberal media kicks us around year after year.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Chase seems like the better choice given the times we are in. His experience is very good. His success last cycle contrasts with some very bad years leading up to 2008. Don’t forget which Pres. candidate carried AR handily.
Stewart is obviously far overqualified for the job. She’ll need big money – bigger than the Chairman’s salary. It is clear that the local RPA does not have that kind of money since it appears that RPA is not paying its current Chairman all that he is due (maybe wrong here, as this is reading between the lines of recent news stories). As big – and as VERY GOOD as Stewart is – it is also crystal clear that she will be moving on, quickly, to another campaign position (which she deserves). I wish her all the best, but do not believe that a “temporary” position as RPA ED would be in RPA’s best interest at this time, given the money situation as shown in published reports.
If there are unpublished reports showing a different – i.e., far better – financial situation, my opinion might well change.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Though Stewart is great, I say “Go Chase!” I also agree with Barbara’s analysis.
September 24th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Will Chase Dugger bring the Republican party to the forefront? I have been and have asked for the party to be Republican…. I would like to hear from both of the candidates on what they think the Republican Party stands for. Currently, All I hear and see is compromising and watering down what I believe to be Republican. My family and I have not given any money to the Arkansas Republican party for the last few years because we don’t feel the Republican party of Arkansas represents us.
I have heard several Republican leaders in our state this year say how compromise works and how small business owners are scared to get involved in the Republican Party of Arkansas. when we start having Leadership in the Republican party that reflects the Values of True Conservative Republicans I will personally start encouraging my friends and family to get involved. At this time, we don’t have the Leadership or Values or the Willingness of the Leaders to stand up and speak out on Issues that effect us all
It will interesting to hear and learn if they are really serious or not
September 24th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
We need someone who will courageously and articulately defend social and fiscal conservative values.
September 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
We need someone whose main job will be to get Republicans elected. Then it is important that those Republicans actually act like Republicans and support conservative values. Chase is someone who has actually helped elect Republicans while working at the party. It sounds like a perfect fit for him to me.
September 24th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Are sure Chase isn’t one of Jim Bob’s….?
September 24th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I think you will not get the votes if you don’t reverse it.. They have to act like a Repubican at all times then we can elect them.
Words and Great speech makers…. wow look what it got us now… Truth is a Verb in my mind…. it requires action.
September 24th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Lol, yes he isn’t one of Jim Bob’s. But if you see him you should ask him anyway.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I would have to go along with Chase Dugger because…and you can crucify me if you must, but…because he is from Arkanas and Alice Stewart is not.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I think Alice has probably lived in Arkansa as long as Chase has been alive, so I don’t see the issue there Barbara.
Chase is a nice young man but Alice has the better resume. You have to go with the most qualified candidate. It would be perfect if she stayed for a couple years then turned it over to Chase.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
The RPA can either move the Party forward with Alice or keep spinning in the mud with Chase. Working at the Party when we continue to be the far minority Party is not really good experience–especially coupled with Stubby’s race where Berry whipped him all over the 1st District. Stubby didn’t raise any money (Chase?), Stubby had horrible campaign lit (Chase?) and Stubby was an unstable candidate (Chase?).
Huckabee had no money but he won Iowa and finished 2nd in the Presidential (Alice). Huckabee had incredible media exposure for a guy no one gave a shot to until after Iowa (Alice).
Ok, sure he’s a nice guy, but nice doesn’t get the job done.
If Alice is willing to even consider this job, the RPA exec committee would be fools not to hire her. Of course, they did hire Karen Ray.
Alice could accomplish more doing this as a part-time gig than Chase could in time and a half.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
FYI – Alice Stewart withdrew her resume on Friday. Chase was the lone candidate for the position.