Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Candidates Voice Their Stands

Clark County Democrats were busy Saturday night, June 27, at the Third Annual Clinton Day Dinner.

Several area candidates were on hand to speak, but everyone was there to hear Sen. Dale Bumpers.

Vaughn McQuary, president of the Arkansas Democratic Party, said the message sent from Clark County would be taken to the rest of the state to show how Democratic rallies should be put on.

Those local candidates with opposition were given time to speak if they chose.

Don Corbin, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, said when 26 percent of the electors show up to vote, it means about 15 percent of the people are selecting the leaders.

It's a disgrace, he told the democrats on hand, this is happening. "We need to get the people out and get the message across."

People, he said, need to get out and vote.

Judy Smith, candidate for the 4th Congressional District House of Representative's seat, told the throng it was time for them to change their destiny and put the district in the hands of the party where it belongs.

She asked all present to visualize Arkansas in regards to the 4th District, calling the district the foundation of the Democratic party. "We are the most democratic district in the state," she said, "and should be ashamed of ourselves. This seat needs to be occupied by a Democrat. There's no reason we can't take this seat back this year."

The seat is currently held by Republican Jay Dickey who is in his third term in office.

Smith said the people of Arkansas can't afford to have Dickey in office another two years because of his voting record.

He voted to send private school vouchers to parents though there are many counties in the district with no private schools. He also wants to use public funds to help support these private schools.

Dickey, on a visit to Pine Bluff this year, said he voted against the home health program because it was too expensive and there was too much fraud involved. These people, Dickey said, belong in a nursing home.

Smith said it's time for the people of the district to send a Democrat back to congress.