Is there a statewide race that commands less attention than the race for state land commissioner? Doesn’t mean that Democrat Mark Robertson isn’t making a strong bid to challenge incumbent Republican John Thurston, something of a surprise winner four years ago.
John Thurston
Posted inArkansas Blog
Land commissioner enters agreement to protect endangered species
Holy moley. A Republican state official has entered an agreement with a federal agency intended to protect some endangered obscure animal life on islands in the Arkansas River. Where’s Missy Irvin and the Greenway posse when you need them?
Posted inJay Barth
Counting to four come 2014
With the clock ticking, Democrats are harmed by a failure to recruit candidates for two posts — land commissioner and state treasurer.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Podcast: John Thurston could be POTUS
This week, Max and I discuss Michael Nellums’ retirement, Alice Stewart’s new job, the field of GOP presidential candidates, Arkansas’ under-educated state legislators, the City of Little Rock’s proposed use of $40 million in sales tax revenue for economic development and the coming ballot fight to raise the severance tax.
Posted inArkansas Blog
The new GOP leadership
The Political Animals Club heard from the three newly elected Republican statewide officers. Larry, Moe and Curly — make that Mark Darr, Mark Martin and John Thurston — talked at the Governors Mansion.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Meet the new Yellow Dogs
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette today profiled Republican John Thurston, the Agape Church maintenance and security worker recently elected state land commissioner.
Posted inArkansas Blog
The 2nd district anomaly
I mentioned this on the blog previously, but somebody expressed surprise last night when I said that, despite a landslide Republican win in the 2nd Congressional District, the old formula that elected U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder still seemed to have potential application in the 2nd District.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Party time
The Republican Party of Arkansas held a press conference this afternoon to celebrate their electoral victories and talk about the state’s political future. Party Chairman Doyle Webb said he expected Republican gains to continue in future elections. Lt. Gov.-elect Mark Darr said he would file a suit to keep Arkansas from participating in “nationalized health care.”
Posted inArkansas Blog
The silly season
The mailbag this morning brings extensive material from John Thurston, the Republican church minister who is running for state land commissioner.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Candidates, not just party, count
More polling from Talk Business examines the recent polling that shows Republican preferences among Arkansas voters when your only choice for a particular office is a generic Republican or Democrat.