By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway, said today he has changed his mind and will not accept any contributions for his 2nd District congressional race during the upcoming fiscal session.

State Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, who formally announced her candidacy today for the 2nd District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, said she would continue raising funds through the fiscal session that convenes Monday.

Wills said last week he had not choice but to raise money during the session because of a short primary campaign for Congress. In a surprise announcement in January, Snyder said he would retire rather than see re-election.

But the House speaker did an about face Friday, saying he decided not to accept contributions during the session because he wanted to “lead by example.”

The Legislature’s first-ever fiscal session is expected to last 30 days. Lawmakers can extend it another 15 days with a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate.

“The focus of this session should be solely on balancing Arkansas’ budget,” Wills said in a release. “The debate surrounding fundraising during the session is a distraction.”
Wills said his campaign has already raised more than $100,000.

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.

The Senate Rules Committee last month considered a rule that would have barred fundraising during the fiscal session, but after debate voted to recommend the Senate allow fundraising through the fiscal session.

State Sens. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, and Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, who are running for the U.S. Senate, have said they will not accept contributions during the session.

Elliott said today she will accept contributions during the session.

“In order to run a viable campaign, at this point, I’m going to have to continue to try and raise money,” Elliott said.

She said she had quit her job as director of state and legislative outreach for The College Board to run a full-time race for Congress.

Elliott previously served three terms in the House. She was elected to the state Senate in 2008.

David Boling, Snyder’s chief of staff, has also announced plans to run for the 2nd District seat.

Also today, Chad Causey, a Jonesboro native and former chief of staff to 1st District Congressman Marion Berry, D-Gillett, said he would announce for his former boss’ seat Monday.

Berry also announced last month he would not seek re-election.

Causey said he would announce his plans at Jonesboro and Lonoke.