Tradition challenged in race for House 92

GRAVETTE — Republican nominee Gayla Hendren McKenzie would succeed her father if she wins the House District 92 representative’s race against Democratic candidate Chris Birch, who says he opposes such a political dynasty.

Both candidates are from Gravette. District 92 covers Arkansas’ farthest northwestern corner, bordering both Missouri and Oklahoma. The district includes western Bella Vista and all of Gravette and Decatur. Early voting in the Nov. 6 election begins Monday.

McKenzie is an attorney and a businesswoman. She founded the KBVA FM

radio station in 1991, spending 26 years programming and managing the station before selling it last year. Birch is an Air Force veteran who graduated law school in February.

“This district has changed a lot, and I’ve seen the changes,” McKenzie said. “I’ve learned a lot from my parents, and I’ve learned a lot from having a business too.”

McKenzie said she has more life experience than her opponent, regardless of any family connections.

She is not only Republican, but, “I’ve read the Republican platform, agree with it and believe I can live up to it.”

This is the first bid for office by either candidate, although McKenzie grew up around politics. Her father is Rep. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, who isn’t running for re-election.

Kim Hendren has served in elected office on the Gravette School Board, the Gravette City Council and in the state Legislature for more than 40 years. Her brother is state Senate majority leader Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs. Jim Hendren was elected to the House from what is now District 92 in 1994. He served three terms. Her uncle is Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Kim Hendren’s brother-inlaw.

“The most valuable thing I’ve learned from my family as far as politics goes is that public service is not so much a matter of legislative ins and outs as it is dealing with constituents, listening to them and helping them,” McKenzie said.

The last person to hold that House seat who was not named Hendren was former county clerk Mary Lou Slinkard of Gravette from 2009 to 2013. Either Jim or Kim Hendren has represented the district either directly or as senator for the overlapping Senate district since 1995.

“I have nothing against

her personally, but I don’t believe dynasties are a good thing,” Birch said.

“This is one of the poorest districts in Northwest Arkansas, and the way she was raised is not the way most of the people who are in her district, who are working class, were raised,” Birch said. “I know what it’s like to struggle.”

As for being a Democrat in a traditionally Republican district, “there are a lot of ways the Republicans have failed this conservative district,” Birch said. “School lunch programs, public education, nutrition programs, you name it and any kind of program that helps a rural, poor district like this one is one they want to scale back.”

State House members serve two-year terms and have an annual salary of $39,400.