NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KFSM) – As President Bill Clinton stumped for Democrats seeking statewide office at two locations in Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday, area Republicans also responded to the visit.
At rallies in Rogers and Fayetteville, Clinton spoke in favor of Democrat governor’s candidate Mike Ross and Democrat U.S. Senate incumbent Mark Pryor. Ross faces off against Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson in the November general election, while Pryor is being challenged by Republican Senate candidate Tom Cotton.
Some area Republicans told 5NEWS they are focused on the issues concerning the state’s voters rather than the president’s visit to Arkansas.
“We’re not bothered by President Clinton’s support of Sen. Pryor. What bothers us, and should bother all Arkansans, is Sen. Pryor’s lock-step support of President (Barack) Obama’s agenda,” Cotton told 5NEWS through a written statement.
A calculated average of statewide polls compiled by Real Clear Politics shows Hutchinson leading Ross 45.6 percent to 40 percent in the race for governor. Cotton leads Pryor in another Real Clear Politics average of polls 45 percent to 41.3 percent.
Arkansas Sen. Bart Hester (R – Cave Springs) said state residents will ultimately vote on the issues, not on Clinton’s visit.
“It is good to see President Clinton engaged in the Arkansas political process,” Hester told 5NEWS. “Asa (Hutchinson) has the plan Arkansans want to see implemented. It’s a plan to lower income taxes on Arkansas’ middle class.”
Click here to read more about Clinton’s visit to Northwest Arkansas.