Arkansas Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb says he feels confident about his party’s chances in Northwest Arkansas’ legislative races this year (most in Benton County aren’t even contested in the Nov. 6 general election), but he considers two races in Washington County to be “competitive.”
That’s a way of saying those two races might not go his way.
Webb and Katherine Vasilos, the party’s communications director, recently dropped by 5NEWS in Fayetteville to talk politics. (They are pictured in the photograph accompanying this story.)
Webb said the state House race between Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, and Republican Brian Scott is competitive, as is the race for the open House seat between David Whitaker, a Democrat, and Paul Graham, a Republican.
Each party is fighting for control of the state Senate and House. Both chambers now are in Democratic hands by slim margins.
The Graham/Whitaker race in House District 85, covering south Fayetteville and the Farmington area, is especially heating up, with both candidates airing radio ads, sending direct-mail campaign pieces and staying active on social media sites.
The action promises to become even more spirited Tuesday (Oct. 30), when Whitaker and Graham square off in a forum at Farmington High.
Among the topics expected to receive attention are the Equal Rights Amendment and measures that would allow guns on college campuses.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
