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Hutchinson announces for state Senate |
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Wednesday, 09 September 2009 |
Jeremy Hutchinson of Little Rock formally announced Tuesday as a Republican candidate for the Arkansas Senate District 22 seat now held by Shane Broadway, D-Bryant.
Though they represent opposing parties, Hutchinson, a lawyer, had words of praise for the man he hopes to succeed.
“Nobody can deny Shane Broadway has been an effective state senator,” Hutchinson said. “We may disagree ... on some issues, but he has given his life to serving this area.
“I think I can continue in Shane’s footsteps,” the candidate said.
The Courier was first to report in August that Hutchinson would be seeking the Senate seat.
The former state representative said he is ready to “tackle tough issues” facing the state and has the ability to “work across party lines.”
Hutchinson announced his candidacy at a rally at the Saline County Courthouse gazebo in Downtown Benton. With him were his wife and three children.
He committed to trying to raise the highway funding for District 22, which receives less than some other districts in the state.
“I’ll fight for fair distribution of economic development funds,” he said.
“I’ll always try to do what is right,” he pledged.
Hutchinson is one of four candidates hoping to succeed Broadway, who will be term-limited after 2010.
Others in the race are state Rep. Dan Greenberg, R-Little Rock; state Rep. Dawn Creekmore, D-Bauxite; and businessman Todd Witham, D-Little Rock, formerly of Benton.
In 1999, Hutchinson defeated Greenberg by fewer than 100 votes in a special election for the District 53 House seat. With that win, Hutchinson, then 25, became the youngest member of the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2000. He served until 2007, leaving office because of term limits.
Greenberg, who went on to earn a seat on the Pulaski County Quorum Court, later received Hutchinson’s endorsement when Greenberg campaigned for the Arkansas House.
Greenberg, serving his second term, represents District 31, which includes northern Saline County.
Creekmore, also serving her second term in the House, represents District 27.
Senate District 22 includes Benton, Bryant, Bauxite and a portion of Little Rock.
Hutchinson is a member of an Arkansas political family that includes his father, former U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson; his uncle, Asa Hutchinson, a former U.S. representative and undersecretary of Homeland Security; and his mother, state Rep. Donna Hutchinson of Bella Vista.
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