Official Arkansas 2014 Gubernatorial Thread

[TX Conservative Dem]

Last I heard, Halter is still in the gubernatorial race, but it won't matter because whoever wins the Democratic nomination will lose to Hutchison in November 2014.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Ross flip-flopping by pulling a Romney will doom him no matter what happens. Either way, the GOP wins back the Arkansas governorship for the first time since 2002.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Is Darr seeking reelection as LG in 2014 then now that he's backing out of the governor's race ?

[TX Conservative Dem]

So, Arkansas statewide musical chairs would look like this:

United States Senator-Mark Pryor (D-incumbent seeking 3rd term) could be in big trouble if US Rep. Tom Cotton (R-AR) runs.

Governor-OPEN: former US Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) vs former DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson (R)

Lieutenant Governor (maybe open)

Secretary of State-Mark Martin (R-incumbent) vs.  Susan Inman (D)

State Attorney General-OPEN: who's guess depending on who's the respective Dem and GOP nominees to replace the disgraced Dustin McDaniel, who is term-limited.

State Auditor-OPEN

State Treasurer-OPEN

State Land Commissioner-John Thurston (R-incumbent) vs.  whoever is the Dem nominee.

[TX Conservative Dem]

It also appears the Arkansas GOP could sweep all statewide offices in 2014.

I just do not see Ross blocking the GOP tidal wave in statewide offices guys, just don't see it.

Too much anti-Obama sentiment and anti-Democratic sentiment in the Natural State.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Frodo, I see the AR GOP expanding their majority in the AR House of Representatives and maybe the AR State Senate.

Obama really ed up the Arkansas Democrats big time in 2012: they lost both chambers of the General Assembly because he's really, deeply HATED down there.

I mean, Arkansas has yet to elect an African American or Latino to a US House seat or statewide office either.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Darr's office being audited ? OUCH.

Has he bailed on his US House bid or will he seek reelection as LG ?

[TX Conservative Dem]

I think Arkansas should consider giving the LG more influence and powers (like here in TX) and make the Governor a figure-head.

[TX Conservative Dem]

How embarrassing .

Darr could have been a rising star in Arkansas politics, but he wasted it all.

[TX Conservative Dem]

The only reason Arkansas has term limits is simply because of Bill and Hilary Clinton, especially Bill, who served 5 terms as the Natural State's governor. Republicans in Arkansas were only able to beat him once, in 1980 due to the Reagan revolution that year

[TX Conservative Dem]

Considering that Faubus (ugh) is Arkansas's longest-serving governor with 12 consecutive years in office from January 11, 1955-January 10, 1967. Had Clinton lost to Bush 41 in '92, he would have easily broken Faubus' record.

Jim Guy Tucker is still allowed to serve 2 more terms since he only served 1 term.

Huckabee is the only Republican to serve 10 consecutive years as Arkansas Governor

[TX Conservative Dem]

On the State Attorney General contest: who's favored on the Republican and Democratic side?

[TX Conservative Dem]

Hutchinson is that old ?

[TX Conservative Dem]

Wow, Griffin really meant it when he said he wants to spend time with the kids.

[TX Conservative Dem]

If Ross somehow wins the governorship for the Dems, Griffin could run in 2018 on the GOP side.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Is the Arkansas Supreme Court elected statewide?

[TX Conservative Dem]

Griffin should be able to win the LG's office in a massive landslide (64%) in November.

While we're at it, how about making the Arkansas Governor reduced to a weak chief executive like North Carolina and my home state of Texas. That way, Arkansas can have the LG more an influential and powerful statewide officeholder besides being President of the State Senate; it would be nice to have the Arkansas LG appoint committee chairmanships (if they haven't already, so let me know).

[TX Conservative Dem]

I could see those negative attack ads going to work right now.

[TX Conservative Dem]

Ross will need Clinton in Arkansas 24/7 if he wants to keep the governorship in Democratic hands.

[TX Conservative Dem]

What are Bebee's current job approval ratings so far ?

Will they help Ross in his uphill bid to keep the AR governorship in Democratic hands, considering the other down-ballot statewide offices are likely going to Republicans.