The Tolbert Report

The state election law has the deck stacked against third parties which have to collect signatures each election cycle and jump through certain hoops in order to be recognized. This year the Green Party was the only third party to make it. The Secretary of State certified their petition this morning after the Green Party submitted over 14,000 signatures for certification.

Green Party of Arkansas spokesman Mark Jenkins tells me that they plan to hold their nominating convention on July 24 although the exact date and time have not been worked out. Jenkins is not sure how many candidates the Party will field but if certain that John Gray will seek for their U.S. Senate nomination and Ken Adler will seek nomination for their nomination for U.S. Congress – District 1.

This will put John Gray and Independent candidate Trevor Drown alongside Republican Rep. John Boozman and Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln on the ballot for U.S. Senate in November.

Steve Ronnel, Chairman of the Political Animals Club of Little Rock, passes on a note regarding my post on Tim Griffin’s speech to their group last week. In my post I said, “The Club is a non-partisan group but usually a predominantly Democratic leaning crowd.”

Apparently my far reaching influence caused this story line to be picked up by some others in the press and Ronnel wanted to clarify that the club is strictly non-partisan.

“PAC membership is open to everyone regardless of political affiliation and PAC meetings are open to PAC members, guests and the public until all seats are reserved,” said Ronnel. “PAC speakers are typically elected officials who are making news. If the Political Animals Club is drawing more Democratic speakers or meeting participants, perhaps that’s more a reflection of the current Arkansas political landscape than a label on our group.”

Fair enough and duly noted. My main point in the original post was that Griffin’s speech to the PAC was not just a rally to fellow Republican supporters and was therefore more noteworthy.

The PAC will follow up with a speech from Griffin’s opponent Democratic State Sen. Joyce Elliott on Thursday afternoon. Griffin made news with several items last week (although I was out of town and unable to cover it.) Elliott’s may do the same.

For more details on joining the Political Animals Club, Ronnel says to send him an email at SteveR@metalrecyclingcorp.com. Republicans are welcome.

Whatever your plans are for election night, make sure and tune in to KARN Newsradio to listen to Blake Rutherford of Blake’s Think Tank and myself bring you up to the minute results and analysis. You can listen starting at 8:00 pm on 102.9 FM or online here.

If you want to catch a watch party, here are the details. But make sure you do everyone there a favor and turn off the annoying background music and turn on KARN.

Watch Parties

Sen. Blanche Lincoln – Senate
Union Station, Next Level Events (lower level of train station)
1400 West Markham Street, Little Rock

Lt. Gov. Bill Halter – Senate
The Peabody- The Arkansas Room
Three Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock

Sen. Cecile Bledsoe – AR3 GOP
Clarion Inn
1255 South Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville

Mayor Steve Womack – AR3 GOP
Embassy Suites
3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers

Speaker Robbie Wills – AR1 Dem
Michelangelo’s Italian Ristorante
1117 Oak Street, Conway

Pulaski County Clerk Pat O’Briean – SoS Dem
Peabody Hotel
Three Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock

LJ Bryant – Land Commissioner Dem
Peabody Hotel – Room 1204
Three Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock

Jonathan Dismang for State Senate 29 Fundraiser Watch Party
Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall
118 N. Spring, Searcy Courthouse Square

(If you are having one, let me know and I will add it.)

The Arkansas Secretary of State reports that as of 4:00 today almost 68,000 have either cast early or absentee ballots.  With eight counties yet to report, they report that 67,981 have voted.

By comparison, they reported 121,439 had voted by early and absentee ballot in the final report before the May 18 primary.  This does not necessarily mean there will be a lighter turn out as there was less a week of early voting times as well as fewer hours and locations during the runoff.

Full break down here.

This afternoon John Adams endorsed Robbie Wills, his former opponent for Congress in the Democratic primary saying he felt Wills was more electable in November.

“This is about having the strongest candidate for the fall,” said Adams in a telephone interview. He pointed to Wills ability to win seven out of the eight counties on May 18 even though State Sen. Joyce Elliott led the ticket with 40 percent over Wills with 28 percent due to her strength in Pulaski County. “This shows that he can win in areas that lean conservative which are critical to winning in November.”

Previously, Adams expressed concerns that someone from the Arkansas state legislature was not what people were wanting from a Congressman this year. He said he was not too concerned with this anymore and felt Wills would do a good job representing the district. He admitted that there are areas that he agrees and areas he disagrees with Wills but overall he believes Wills is the most electable between the two choices.

As promised, here is a brief report on Buffalo Wild Wings which just opened up in west Little Rock on Highway 10 at Rahling Road. I went with several friends of mine and checked out the place while talking politics.

I sampled the Hot, Caribbean Jerk, Asian Zing, Spicy Garlic, and Parmesan Garlic. The Hot certainly packs a punch and there are actually three levels above this one. I really can’t imagine anyone ordering something spicy then this level and Jason likes spicy chicken. The Caribbean Jerk was my favorite as it was not just spicy but very flavorful. The Parmesan Garlic were excellent as well and if you like more mild these are the ones I recommend.

I am a regular at Wing Stop and I say BWW are slightly better but it is really close. But Wing Stop still has the best fries. BWW has a much better atmosphere and is set up as a full service restaurant with more big screens than you could possible want. It will most definitely be a regular lunch trip.

Today we celebrate the National Day of Prayer. I would ask my readers to spend a few minutes today praying for our leaders. Put aside any partisanship ideology and honestly pray for that they will have wisdom during these difficult times ahead. For extra credit, send them a note or email of encouragement and let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.

Sometimes we can get so focused on our own partisan divide that we can forget that we are all in this together. Let remember that today, at least for a few minutes.

The state legislative debate scheduled for this evening in Saline County has been canceled due to the storms that hit last night and likelihood of more tonight. Several of the candidates are involved in clean up efforts in the East End community and would be unable to attend.

When we get a new date and time set, we will let you know.

While much focus has been on the two major parties this election cycle, quietly several independent candidates have been gathering signatures. Twenty-three candidates filed with the Secretary of State as independent candidates. In order to appear on the ballot, they must submit petitions signed by registered voters with varying numbers based on the office they are seeking. So far seven of these candidates have qualified with the Secretary of State by submitting their petitions.

In the First Congressional District, Richard Walden of Jonesboro has qualified. Five people have qualified for state representative races including “Tommy” McLemore (District 8), Richard Daes (District 35), Roger Sumpter (District 53), Ronnie Spence (District 78), and Jim Parsons (District 98). In addition, Andy Riner qualified for Prosecuting Attorney – District 18W where he will be unopposed.

Jasper A. Beede, Trevor Drown, Larry J. Buffington, Christopher Nogy, and Adam Fire Cat have filed for the U.S. Senate race but have not yet submitted petitions. The deadline is noon on Monday, May 3.

UPDATE - The Secretary of State office confirmed Friday Trevor Drown dropped off several hundred pages of signed petitions that he says are over the 10,000 needed.  Their office will being certifying these next week, which will obviously take some time.

UPDATE II - Two more candidates have submitted their signatures (subject to review) before the deadline this morning – Lance Levi in the Second Congressional District and Weldon Wynn for State Representative District 10.

Arkansas largest crawfish boil is coming up this Saturday, April 24 at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock. The event raises money for Baptist Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which is a special place for the Tolbert Report. My one-year-old son John spent some time with the wonderful people there after he was born. I can think of no better excuse to eat crawfish than to raise money for them.

The tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door for unlimited crawfish and all the fixins. Kids 10 and under get in free. You can buy tickets and find more information at www.CrawsforaCause.com