Being tacky is not disqualifying for a judge in pursuit of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s top spot, but if it were, we could take Justice Barbara Webb out of the running.
Ethics rules, and dignity, require judicial candidates to farm out fundraising to their campaign committees. And chief justice hopefuls aren’t allowed to start collecting contributions until 180 days before the election, which falls this go-round on March 5, 2024. That means campaign committees can’t really start shaking people down until the first week of September.
But Barbara Webb’s Republican operator husband Doyle Webb, who has a storied history of coaxing cash from sources public and private into his own pockets, already has his hand out on his wife’s behalf. A couple of weeks ago, Webb sent the following text message to potential donors, which a source forwarded to the Arkansas Times:
Please pardon my texting you on this important topic!
Barbara Womack Webb is strongly considering running for Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court! Barbara wanted to wait until this Supreme Court term was concluded before she started considering the race.
However, the term ends this week. As before she can not solicit campaign contributions. She has to use a committee to make the contacts.
That’s where I come in! You were so generous to support her in her race for the Supreme Court! I’m not asking for the contribution today, I am just weighing her financial support!
How much can you commit!
$100, $250, $500, $1000?
The maximum is now $2900 per person per election. So a couple can give $5800.
Just let me know by responding to this text! All I am asking is for a commitment. I’m proud of Barbara! She has held the conservative line in every decision. She’s who we need as Chief Justice since Justice Kemp has stated he will not run again!
Once again thanks for reading and responding!
My Best for a Better Arkansas!
Doyle Webb
A former chair of the Republican Party of Arkansas, Doyle Webb is currently chairman of the state Public Service Commission, where lots of lawyers and well-heeled utilities have business and might wish to curry favor with the man in charge. How might they receive this text sent by Webb on behalf of his wife?
Technically, asking people for pledges rather than cash skirts the 180-day fundraising rule. And technically, the spouse of a candidate for chief justice is not the justice herself, and therefore can fundraise. But does it pass the smell test?
Rule 4.1 of the Arkansas Judicial Code of Conduct says judicial candidates cannot “personally solicit or accept campaign contributions other than through a campaign committee authorized by Rule 4.4.” And Rule 4.4 says campaign committees may not “solicit or accept contributions for a candidate’s current campaign more than 180 days before the applicable election”:
Barbara Webb hasn’t formally announced she’s jumping in the contest for chief justice. If she does, she’ll face justices Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker. Current Chief Justice Dan Kemp said he plans to retire at the end of his current term.