Final GOP candidate forum set for Thursday at library
Candidates for federal, state and local races are scheduled to speak at the third candidate forum hosted by the Republican Party of Garland County at 6 p.m. at the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave.
The RPGC committee monthly meeting will precede the forum at 5:30 p.m., also at the library. The RPGC meeting and forum are free and open to the public.
“The Republican Party members wanted the opportunity to meet and listen to the Republican and nonpartisan candidates who are seeking election in 2022,” Marcia Albaugh, RPGC chair, said in a news release.
“This will be our third and final forum before the May 24 primary. We hope that anyone interested should attend and learn about the people seeking office.”
The preferential primary and elections for nonpartisan races are on May 24. Early voting begins on May 9.
Candidates schedule to speak include state Sen. Bill Sample; state Sen. Jason Rapert, a candidate for lieutenant governor; Jan Morgan, candidate for U.S. Senate; Dayton Myers, a candidate for Garland County Justice of Peace; Jason Brasfield, a candidate for constable; Caleb Sandage, is a candidate for Mountain Pine School Board; District Court Judge Chris Carnaham, a candidate for associate justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court; and Alan Floyd, a candidate for state representative.
Any other Republican or nonpartisan candidates who wish to speak may call Jim Keary, RPGC secretary, at 501-7869206 or email jlkeary@gmail. com.
Sample, who has represented the Garland County and Hot Springs area since 2005, is seeking the Republican nomination for newly formed Senate District 6. Sample currently represents District 14. Sample faces Justice of the Peace Matt McKee in the primary.
Rapert, of Bigelow, has served in the state Senate since 2011. He is president of Provident Financial Group, founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, the release said.
Morgan is a national conservative commentator and owner of the Gun Cave in Garland County. She served as the National Spokesperson of Citizens for Trump, it said.
Myers is a licensed real estate broker and employed by Lake Hamilton Realty. He is the founder and coordinator of the 9/11 breakfast provided for all first responders in Garland County, the release said.
Brasfield has more than 12 years of law enforcement experience. He rose through the ranks and has served as patrol officer, sergeant, crime scene commander, detective and instructor. He is a graduate of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy and has lived in Hale Township for 23 years, it said.
Sandage, a lifelong resident of Mountain Pine, “is an advocate for common sense education legislation, which supports parental rights and increased pay and benefits for teachers,” the release said.
Carnahan, of Conway, has served as a district court and circuit court judge. He has twice been chosen as a special associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. He has served as legal counsel for the state Board of Pharmacy and senior deputy prosecuting attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas, it said.
Floyd a registered nurse “who entered the race for House of Representatives after he lost his job as a pediatric home health Registered Nurse because of a COVID vaccine mandate. He has served as a Registered Nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock and Children’s Hospital. He received his degree in nursing from Arkansas Tech University,” the release said.