By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Two state lawmakers running for the U.S. Senate pledged today to forego fundraising during the state Legislature’s upcoming fiscal session.
Two others who are newly announced candidates for the U.S. House say they have no choice but to accept campaign contributions during the budget session that convenes Feb. 8.
Republican Sens. Gilbert Baker of Conway and Kim Hendren of Gravette said they would refrain from fundraising to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Both said they were under the impression the Senate Rules Committee would approve a recommendation that the full Senate bar fundraising during the fiscal session and had informed their campaign staffs and supporters accordingly.
Instead, the committee this week voted to recommend the Senate allow fundraising through the fiscal session.
“All along we have said we are not going to raise funds during the session, that’s what I’ve said when people asked,” Hendren said. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m not going to raise funds during the session.”
Hendren is a member of the Senate Rules committee but did not participate in discussion or vote on the fundraising issue during Tuesday’s meeting.
Both Baker and Hendren announced their intentions to run for the U.S. Senate last year and have been campaigning for some time.
Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, stated her intention to run for the 2nd District U.S. House seat last week after incumbent U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, announced he would not seek re-election. House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway, announced for Snyder’s seat just Wednesday.
Both Elliott and Wills said today they would accept campaign contributions during the fiscal session.
“Right now we have such a short time to prepare for this election,” Elliott said.
The political filing period runs March 1-8.
“My first responsibility as speaker is to the state, my district and the House … but due to the concentrated nature of the campaign, I will continue to raise funds to better deliver my message to the voters,” Wills said. “With only 100-plus days to the election, I really don’t have a choice.”
The party primaries will be held May 18.
The state House and Senate have rules that ban fundraising during a regular legislative session and during the 30 days leading up to the session and 30 days after.
The House Rules committee in November voted to ban House members from raising money for re-election during the fiscal session but made an exception for members running for Congress.
