Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ross Says GOP Afraid

When State Sen. Mike Ross announced his intent to seek the office of Fourth Congressional District Representative, the national Republican party sent in the big guns for his opponent.

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) came to Little Rock to help raise campaign money for incumbent Jay Dickey.

Ross said the GOP's national party recognizes he will be a serious challenge to the incumbent. "They know he is in trouble with the people of Arkansas.

"The Republican National Party needs him in Congress to retain their narrow majority. They'll do whatever it takes to get him reelected like bringing Hastert to Arkansas to campaign for him," Ross said.

Dickey, he continued, is being rewarded for voting almost a straight party ticket down the line as congressman. "During the 106th Congress, he voted more than 97 percent of the time for what was best for the Republican Party," Ross said, "not what was best for the people of Arkansas.

"I believe when the Republicans are right he should vote with them, and when the Democrats are right he should vote with them. I do not believe the Republican leaders represent the views of the people of Arkansas 97 percent of the time. I believe it is time we elect a congressman who will put Arkansas first. I'm committed to doing just that."