$5.6M spent on key race in state
Parties fought for 2nd District seat
WASHINGTON — The two top candidates in Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District together spent more than $5.6 million on their campaigns, according to forms filed this week with the Federal Election Commission.
The central Arkansas contest was the most competitive House race in Arkansas; national Democratic Party officials had portrayed it as winnable.
U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, reported spending more than $3.3 million on his successful re-election bid.
State Rep. Clarke Tucker, a Democrat from Little Rock, ended up spending more than $2.3 million, his post-election FEC report states.
Hill lost Pulaski County, the state’s most populous, but won the other six. He finished with 52.1 percent of the vote. Tucker, who had the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, received 45.8 percent. Libertarian Joe Swafford of Maumelle was third with 2.0 percent. The election was Nov. 6. The spending totals surprised University of Arkansas, Fayetteville political sci-
ence professor Janine Parry.
“That seems like a staggering amount for an Arkansas U.S. House race,” she said.
Campaign spending seems to be accelerating nationwide, she noted.
“The floodgates have opened,” she said. “[There’s] almost unlimited money from almost unlimited sources.”
Money poured in to both campaigns during the closing days of the 2018 campaign.
Between Oct. 18 and Nov. 26, Tucker had net contributions of $395,942. During the same period, Hill collected $203,593, the forms show.
At this point, Hill’s campaign war chest is nearly depleted. He reported just
$92,350 cash on hand as of Nov. 26.
The other three U.S. representatives from Arkansas have deeper reserves to draw upon.
Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers, spent nearly $1.1 million to win re-election. There’s plenty available for 2020, however. His campaign reported cash on hand totaling nearly $1.2 million as of Nov. 26. His Democratic opponent, Josh Mahony of Fayetteville, spent $259,712. He reported cash on hand of $201 and debts totaling $46,666.
Fourth District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs, spent almost $1.2 million, leaving him with $676,692. His Democratic opponent, Hayden Shamel of Hot Springs, spent
$144,655 $4,037 Rep. spent Democrat Helena-West $135,769. In Rick $575,070. the in the and Crawford’s 1st from Chintan Crawford, bank. Helena, finished District, His Jonesboro, opponent, Desai spent a cash with U.S. Republican of on $323,643, Desai but hand also had on reported FEC no Nov. money reports 26 no left totaled show. campaign over, incumbent The debts. leftover Republicans’ funds in bank the accounts scare off potential may be enough competitors to in 2020, Parry said.
The figures may also be a source of comfort for current officeholders.
“The more intimidating the size of the war chest is, the more safe the incumbent feels,” Parry added.