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Political forum: Clemmer says she is frontrunner |
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
Ann Clemmer said she appreciated being questioned by each of her two opponents during Political Forum 2008 on Tuesday night.
“The reason I’m getting questions is because I am the front-runner in this race,” Clemmer said.
Clemmer, Brett Hooton and Bud Lidzy are Republican candidates for the Arkansas House of Representatives District 29 position.
The victor in the May 20 primary election will face the winner between Democrat candidates Scott Smith and Mike Beckwith in the November general election.
The District 29 seat is being vacated by Rep. Janet Johnson, D-Bryant, who is term limited.
Clemmer, 49, lives in the Salem community. She is a political science instructor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, president of the Saline County Republican women and a five-time visitor to the Republican National Convention.
Hooton and Lidzy both live in Bryant.
Hooton, 25, works for Axciom Corp. He said he is a pro-life, fiscal conservative. He said Arkansas ranks 13th nationally in tax burden “but we’re not getting a good return on our money here.” He said he believes in smaller government and increased individual responsibility.
Lidzy, 44, is a former Bryant City Council member. He is a disabled Army veteran and said he remains active in politics, primarily by advocating legislation that is beneficial to veterans and their families. “I have a servant’s heart,” he said.
Hooton and Lidzy did not question each other, but each had a question for Clemmer during the forum at the historic Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton.
Hooton asked Clemmer why she supported the natural gas severance tax increase that was approved recently by the Legislature. He said Clemmer’s support was opposite the stance taken by some of the leaders in the state’s Republican Party.
“That’s not hard to answer,” Clemmer said. “I supported the proposal because I listened to the people of this district. They wanted the tax money to remain in Arkansas and so do I. We have to pay to maintain our roads.”
Money from the tax initiative will be dedicated to Arkansas highways, state officials said.
Lidzy said he declined a campaign contribution from Rick Meyer of Bryant, who is chairman of the Saline County Republican Party. He said Meyer offered to make the contribution through his wife, Lisa Meyer, so there would be no sign of impropriety.
Lidzy asked Clemmer if she received financial support from Meyer.
“I got a $200 contribution from Lisa Meyer,” Clemmer said matter of factly, adding: “I don’t know about other people but I can write a check at my house without clearing it through my husband. I am sure Mrs. Meyer can do that also.”
Clemmer said that in addition to listening to constituents, legislators must rely on their political knowledge, experience and judgment. “If decisions were always based on public opinion polls, legislators wouldn’t be necessary,” she said.
She said she was not intimidated by questions from her opponents.
“I’ve been around politics a long time and have had much tougher questions than the ones asked tonight,” Clemmer said.
“I have no problem standing up for what I believe in. I’ve played the political game with the big boys for a long time.”
Clemmer this week received the endorsement of the state’s largest newspaper.
Hooton said he “will actually represent the people of this district.”
He said he is proud to be a Christian conservative.
“I believe we are one nation under God and we need to stop hiding from it,” Hooton said. “I also believe we need to manage our own affairs, not rely on government to do it for us.”
Hooton said the Legislature does not need to consider raising taxes. “Our Legislature too often looks at the people as a source of revenue,” he said.
Hooton said he has been questioned about his age, but he reminded the audience that state Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, also was young when he began his political career.
Lidzy said he has worked closely with Broadway and other legislators to help draft legislation favorable to veterans and their families.
He said he also favors tax credits for people who install energy-efficient systems to their homes and he said education is always an important issue.
“I propose real answers to real problems,” Lidzy said. “We need legislators with experience and I believe I have that experience from the Bryant City Council. I am already looking for ideas for legislation.”
The forum is co-sponsored by the Courier and Courier TV 95.
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