Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Chaffin Again Eyes Lt. Governor Spot

For the first time since her defeat in the race for Lt. Governor of Arkansas, former State Senator Charlie Cole Chaffin let her plans for the future be known.

She said, in an exclusive interview at the Clark County Senior Adult Center Wednesday, Oct. 25, she will again be running for the office of Lt. Governor. The question, she said, will be when the race will be.

"I intend to run for Lt. Gov. when the seat opens," she said. " I feel I have a lot to offer the people in state government. I want to remain in state government.

I understand how state government works, how budgets are made, the officers and agencies. I can offer a better Arkansas."

However, incumbent Lt. Gov. Mike Huckabee, while seeking the soon-to-be-vacated seat of Sen. David Prior, is legally tied to the office until 1998, unless he wins the senate race in 1996.

Should Huckabee win the senate seat, a special election could be held for the position of Lt. Gov. This will be determined by Gov. Jim Guy Tucker.

"I think the people of Arkansas like to see you get up fighting when you've been kicked," she said. "I lost a race in 1982 and won in '84. I lost in '94 (to Huckabee).

"I believe the people of Arkansas are convinced of my sincerity, character and ability," she said.

"The last election the timing was such the people wanted an incumbent back in.

"I believe there are no negatives to my running. People everywhere have helped. I've gotten encouragement from people all over the state."

Chaffin, who lives in Benton, and grew up in Hot Spring County, has been spending the time since her defeat with her grandchildren, her mother, a sick brother, reading and, as she said, resting.

"I've not been on the go as a campaign requires," she said.

Chaffin said she hopes the campaign for Lt. Gov. doesn't occur until 1998, when the seat is up for reelection. This, she said, would mean Huckabee does not win the senate race.

"I would like to see the senate seat carried on with the same concern for Arkansas as it has been with David Prior and Dale Bumpers," she said. "I hope someone else wins the office."

Chaffin said she did not consider becoming a delegate for the Constitutional Convention, though she agrees Arkansas is in dire need of a new constitution. "Ours is outdated," she said.

Chaffin pointed out the current constitution states a woman cannot be compelled to serve on a jury and the governor of Arkansas is the commander in chief of the state's navy.

"This will be one of the most important jobs," she said. "It will require a great deal of service from the delegates. I hope there are some good people who do it (become delegates)."

However, Chaffin expressed concern the people of the state may not accept a new constitution because of one or two items they don't like. She said a new constitution is needed because the current one is holding the state back from moving forward.