By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — A U.S. Senate candidate who drew national criticism for referring to New York Sen. Charles Schumer as “that Jew” said he meant no harm Tuesday when he referred to a federal judge’s race.
During a legislative committee meeting, state Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, was discussing U.S. District Judge Brian Miller’s role in the long-running Pulaski County school desegregation case when he referred to Miller as “this new minority judge.”
Miller, who is black, is presiding over the desegregation case involving the North Little Rock and Pulaski County school districts. The Little Rock district was been released from federal supervision in the case.
Hendren told reporters after the meeting that he was actually praising Miller when he made the comment, which came as the senator was talking about the swiftness at which Miller scheduled a hearing on the desegregation case after being sworn to the bench.
“I remember when (U.S. District Bill) Wilson down here resigned, or whatever they do, took senior status, and this new minority judge, which I commended, because (of) what he did … the next Monday, he said ‘I want you guys in my office at 9 o’clock to see what the status of this (case) is,’ and around this state I commended this judge because I think it’s an outstanding thing to do,” Hendren said.
Explaining his comment after the meeting, Hendren mistakenly said nine white candidates were originally recommended to replace the late U.S. District Judge George Howard, who was black.
“There had not been a minority on the list and there had been questions in the press about why aren’t there minorities to be considered as replacement federal judges,” Hendren said.
Actually, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, submitted a list of six candidates — three black and three white — to then-President George W. Bush as replacements for Howard.
Bush appointed Miller, at the time a state Court of Appeals judge.
In May, not long after announcing plans to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Hendren referred to Schumer’s religion. In an interview with the Arkansas News Bureau, Hendren said he regretted referring to the New York senator as “that Jew” at a Pulaski GOP gathering.
“I don’t speak with a TelePrompTer, and if I had, that reference would have never been made in there,” Hendren said at the time. “I know I referred to him as Jew or Jewish, and I should not have done that. I got my foot in my mouth.”
The comment drew stern rebukes from religious groups, and from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Afterward, Hendren was less than clear about his political future. He said Tuesday he still has not made a final decision on whether he will run for the U.S. Senate.
