CANDIDATE ANSWERS

to survey question.

The following is a summation of answers given by candidates for Arkansas Senate and House to the following question:

“What do you think about the governor’s exercise of his executive powers during the pandemic? Would you propose any changes to the state’s Emergency Powers Act?”

Some of the candidates’ responses refer to the “CDC,” which stands for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An asterisk (*) by the candidate’s name signifies an incumbent.

HOUSE 80

• Charlene Fite (R)*: The governor has struck the right balance.

• Lou Reed Sharp (D): Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. Would work to change powers act.

HOUSE 85

• David Whitaker (D)*: Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. Even the ones he agrees with were too late.

• Brian Hester (R): The governor did a good job in a difficult time.

HOUSE 86

• Nicole Clowney (D)*: Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. The governor hasn’t overstepped yet but vigilance is justified.

• John LaTour (R): The governor is doing a good job.

HOUSE 87

• Robin Lundstrum (R)*: Continued use of executive powers could set a dangerous precedent.

• Michael Bennett-Spears (D): Governor misused power to protect businesses from lawsuits and failed to use power in a timely manner to protect Arkansans.

HOUSE 88

• Clint Penzo (R)*: Legislature should meet as soon as possible after an emergency is declared and be the body to appropriate money.

• Hawley Woods (D): Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. Legislature should be the one appropriating money.

HOUSE 89

• Megan Godfrey (D)*: Would oppose changes to emergency powers that restrict state’s ability to respond effectively.

• Jed Duggar (R): Governor has struck a good balance. Legislature should be the one appropriating money.

HOUSE 90

• Kendon Underwood (R): Declined to participate in the survey.

• Kelly Krout (D): Governor has struck a good balance, but moved too slowly on masks and too quickly on opening schools.

HOUSE 91

• Nick Jones (D): Agrees with some, not all, executive orders.

• Delia Haak (R): Emergency powers should be used only in extraordinary cases and the public should be kept informed.

HOUSE 93

• Jim Dotson (R)*: Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. Emergency Powers Act needs more accountability.

• Daisy Bonilla (D): Agrees with some, not all, executive orders. Would not seek to change Emergency Powers Act.

HOUSE 94

• John Carr (R): Act should be changed to trigger legislative session if emergency lasts more than a few days.

• Jene Huffman-Gilreath (D): Governor acted too slowly on masks. Would not seek to change Emergency Powers Act.

HOUSE 96

• Josh Bryant (R): Governor has issued too many orders unilaterally. Act should be changed to trigger legislative session.

• Jon Comstock (D): Governor has struck a good balance, but Legislature should have a greater role.

SENATE 1

• Bart Hester (R)*: Declined to participate in survey.

• Ronetta Francis (D): Governor has struck a good balance.

SENATE 2

• Jim Hendren (R)*: Would consider changes to act to get Legislature involved sooner.

• Ryan Craig (D): Did not reply to survey.