Representative Jim House Is Clear Choice

Fayetteville is fortunate to have an effective legislative delegation serving in the Arkansas General Assembly, and freshman State Representative Jim House (D-89) is a solid member of that team. House surprised even some of his supporters with his record of common sense and good votes during the last two years, and we are glad that he is seeking another term. During a candidate forum taped yesterday and sponsored by the League of Women Voters, it became clear why we should reelect Jim House.

Jim House reaffirmed his support for early childhood education, need-based college scholarships, and long-range planning for a future light rail system. He said he was proud to have been a co-sponsor on ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, because, "I worked with many fine women in the state Health Department, and many of those weren't able to get the same pay for the same work as men." House also supports cutting the final three cents of the state sales tax on groceries and funding the Fayetteville satellite campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to train more health care professionals.

While Representative House made sense, his Republican opponent made noise. Springdale insurance salesman Gene Long repeated the standard talking points, claiming that Arkansas was not business-friendly enough and that taxes were too high. He advocated cutting state spending but did not say which programs he wanted to eliminate, and he said he was against the ERA because it would let homosexuals get married. Long said that education was important, but public records revealed that he had not bothered to vote in a local school election during the last 12 years. On and on with such nonsense.

Clear choice. Vote for Jim House. "Jim House will bring a breath of fresh air to politics and public service at a time when it is desperately needed," said General Wes Clark. "Jim’s perspective as a career state employee, a farmer, a father, and a man of faith, truly represent the values and interests of Arkansans. We need state and local leaders like Jim House who are committed to fight for our veterans’ needs, strong and affordable healthcare, and a durable job market. With his experience, commitment and leadership, Jim House will fight tirelessly with the courage to make difficult decisions." We couldn't have said it better ourselves.