Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Charlie's Angels Back To Aid Chaffin's Run

"Charlie's Angels" are back in action.

No, this isn't the 1970's television series, but a group of political volunteers working for former state senator Charlie Cole Chaffin, who is running for the office of Lt. Governor on the Democratic ticket.

Chaffin has had her headquarters open since June 1, with her "Angels" performing a variety of tasks. The volunteers help with direct mailing and phone calls, but, most importantly, go where Chaffin can't to promote her candidacy.

Chaffin said her "Angels" visit craft shows and festival wearing Chaffin for Lt. Gov. T-shirts. They also hand out literature on their candidate of choice.

"There's only a short time until the election," Chaffin said. "Just a small window left."

Her opponent in the race is Winthrop Rockefeller Jr. Chaffin admits to knowing little about him, but said he's not his father.

"He has the Rockefeller name, and I can't match his money," she said, "but this campaign isn't about who has the most money, but who spends it the wisest. This office is not for sale."

Chaffin also makes the voters of Arkansas a solemn promise. She said if elected she will not seek higher office in 1998. "I will not use the Lt. Governor's office as a stepping stone."

Refusing to make negative comments about her foe, Chaffin said Arkansans are tired of this sort of campaign. Instead, she is telling all she meets about her experience with ethics and education.

Before entering the political arena, Chaffin was a teacher and college instructor.

She also pushes a platform to help the elderly of the state.

"I have a record," she said, "as a senator. It's well known and well honored.

"I didn't expect this seat to be open before '98, but it's happened twice in the last four years. The people need to know the person they elect could be governor."

Chaffin said as a senator she knows how the legislature works. "I understand the budget and state agencies," she said.

She said there are several differences between her and her opponent other than experience. "I'm the only one with experience in presiding over the senate," she said. This is one of the primary functions of the state's second in command.

Chaffin also has a record for trying to bring an ethics law for public servants and lobbyists into being.

She has a very strong record in the area of education, including public, higher education and vocational education.

"Education is important," Chaffin said. "I've worked hard to make the management of higher education easier."

She has been on the standard's committee for public education as well, and helped develop standards for teachers adopted in 1984. These standards were changed and updated in 1991.

"There's been a lot of improvement in Arkansas education," she said.

"During the Republican convention," she continued, "they wanted to return to the past. We've got the 21st century coming up, and I'm the candidate for the future."

In 1992, Chaffin served on the Commission for the Future of the South, chairing a panel on welfare reform. In this capacity, she and the committee made recommendations to the southern states on the topic.

"This area is constantly changing," she said of welfare. "The federal government is going to turn back money to the states and let them decide how to use it.

"I can be separated from my opponent in the area of understanding the needs and efficiency in reform.

"My philosophy has been developed over a lifetime of exposure to different types of people. I intend to run the office like a business. I will preside over the senate and stay close to others in state government. I hope the governor will listen to my ideas on policy development."

Mainly, though, Chaffin plans on spending a good deal of time listening to and lobbying for others as she works to help improve Arkansas through education and economic development.

"Education," she said, "is the great equalizer."

Chaffin first made her plans to seek the office of Lt. Gov. known in an exclusive interview Oct. 25.

At the time, she expected to run for the office in 1998, as then Lt. Gov. Mike Huckabee was mounting a run for the U.S. Senate.

However, a number of things have happened since then. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker was convicted in his Whitewater trial and resigned from office.

Huckabee stepped up to the governor's office and out of the Senate race. This, then, left the Lt. Gov. seat open.

Gov. Huckabee decided against holding a special election to fill the office, and, instead, let the voters make their choice during the Nov. 5 General Election.

The Democratic and Republican parties in Arkansas held caucuses to choose their candidates.

Rockefeller was the lone candidate interested with the GOP, while Chaffin was chosen over several others by the Democratic Party.