Stephanie Harvin For Miller County Clerk

Stephanie Harvin

Stephanie Harvin made her public campaign debut this evening at The Cattleman’s Steak House in Texarkana, Arkansas.  A reception was held with a turn out that included a County Judge, Treasurer, and other Miller County elected officials both Republican and Democrat.   Larry Pritchett, Chair for the Miller County Republican Party, introduced Stephanie to a group that also included county committee members, delegates, and former elected officials from around the area. 

Stephanie shared some of her campaign materials and information and discussed campaign strategy with several people who have extensive campaign experience.  It was apparent that this newcomer to the political world already has a lot of ideas, plans and a strong hold on what it takes to run a campaign.  Perhaps the most important factor is Stephanie has a strong grasp on what it takes to run a county clerk’s office. 

 

Stephanie noted that she is known as “Stephanie with Judge Griffin’s office” where she has been employed for the last ten years.  In her current position she has served both Lafayette and Miller County.  As Chief Deputy Trial Court Assistant, she has experience with all levels of civil and probate dealing for two counties.

 

As the evening came to a close, Stephanie visited with various groups of supporters around the room.  Two things became immediately clear.  First, Stephanie is a people person who can talk with and get along with just about anyone.  This was apparent by the number of friends, Democrat and Republican, who showed up to support her.  The second thing that was clear is that Stephanie has a strong background serving both Miller and Lafayette County for the last ten years.  When elected as County Clerk, the county will gain tremendously from someone who already has demonstrated the ability to serve two counties now at the Miller County Clerk’s helm.

Coleman Responds to Opponent's Endorsement of Attorney General Eric Holder

From the Curtis Coleman Campaign:

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Businessman and conservative Republican candidate for governor Curtis Coleman responded to his opponent's endorsement of Attorney General Eric Holder as reported by ABC affiliate KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock tonight.

"I am shocked that a Republican gubernatorial candidate would write a glowing endorsement of President Barack Obama’s Attorney General who tells states attorneys general not to enforce their own state laws, who demands acceptance of gay marriage, who wants to outlaw homeschools, has sanctioned the killing of American citizens using drones and supports gun control.

"These are not Arkansas values. This news is a devastating blow to the Republican Party.  Most Arkansans are going to struggle with Asa’s judgment and intentions."

Coleman is pleased that our state's media has taken the initiative to investigate the truth for Arkansans.

He believes that an equally troubling development in this story is that Mr. Hutchinson now calls for Eric Holder's resignation only after being caught as a Republican gubernatorial candidate endorsing a liberal Obama appointee.  It is a sad day for Arkansans when their conservative values are reduced to politics.

In Mr. Hutchinson's endorsement letter dated December 22, 2008 to Senators Leahy and Specter, he wrote, "I have known Eric Holder for more than 10 years, and I have observed his conduct as a lawyer and public official.  It is my sincere belief that Eric will be the kind of Attorney General who puts the law first and political considerations second.  I am confidant that he will protect the institutional independence of the Department of Justice and follow the law, no matter where it may lead."

This is very disconcerting news for conservatives who don't want Washington politics in the Governor's office in Arkansas.

News release provided to Texarkana GOP by: 

Tami Greever, Campaign Manager
479-586-1680
Tami.Greever@CurtisColeman.com
Coleman for Governor
4801 North Shore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
www.CurtisColeman.com

Tested and Proven: Judge Larry Burgess of Miller County, Arkansas

It’s hard to be a county judge in Arkansas.  A person is elected for a two-year term and it seems they immediately have to start looking at the next election cycle just to be ready if they want to remain in office.  Miller County Judge Larry Burgess faces the same issues as other county judges all while maintaining a county to a level where smooth efficiency is the corner post.

 

Since taking office, the accomplishments of Judge Burgess have been impressive.   He immediately worked to ensure a clear and transparent government was being run out of the Courthouse in Miller County.  Shortly after taking office, the county had a well maintained website with telephone numbers, emails and a list of all officials easily available to anyone with Internet access (http://millercountyar.org/) Not only does the site give basic information about the county, it spotlights events such as recycling days, pending repairs, Quorum Court meetings, and even features a slideshow of notable county areas both in the city of Texarkana and outside.  Judge Burgess was instrumental in bringing the county’s ability to reach the world into the Internet age.

Burgess did not stop with pulling the county into the Internet age, he continued with more work on behalf of the citizens.  Recently he was part of a group helping secure a major grant for Miller County (http://www.ktbs.com/story/24358948/miller-county-projects-receive-state-grant-funds) The grant will result not only in work in the county, but it will also put $31,000 toward the security of the county courthouse.  The security of the courthouse has been a focus of Judge Burgess’ for sometime now and in fact he was honored with an award in Natchitoches, Louisiana for his work on the security of the Miller County Courthouse (http://news.silobreaker.com/miller-county-judge-honored-for-security-5_2267173520272261269)

 

Judge Burgess is only now gearing up for the election season.  His focus, as always, is serving the people of Miller County.  He noted recently that he does have an opponent in the race, but that he will present his message and what is going on in the county to the people.  “I will serve the people of Miller County as long as they want me, and as long as God allows me.”  While the judge takes care of a great deal at the Courthouse, his primary responsibilities fall outside the city and in the county where roads are improving daily and citizens seem happy with the results from their judge.  Judge Burgess lives deep in the county in the Doddridge area, so he knows the importance of maintaining the county roads and county properties for all the citizens of Miller County.  Voters in Miller County would do well to keep the tested and proven Judge Larry Burgess in office.

The Republican Wave

Not too long ago a person filing for public office in Arkansas was encouraged to file as a Democrat.  Arkansas, having been a solid Democrat state since after Reconstruction Republicans left, had never been Republican friendly.  After all, Republicans were viewed as the enemy.  After the Civil War, Republican appointed governors and legislative bodies ruled in most of the southern states and Arkansas was no different.  As soon as the Republican appointments could be removed, Democrats quickly moved to take control. 

In those late 1800s, Democrats managed to seize control of the office of governor, the legislative bodies, and the county and federal offices as well.  Candidates would walk into county courthouses file during the filing period and be told, “You need to file as a Democrat.  You can’t win as a Republican.”  Democrats attempted to control voting, control offices, and control the social and economic segregation of the state.  They were so committed to ensuring this control that even during the Central High School Desegregation it was a Democrat Governor who sent the National Guard to stop African-American Children from going to school.  It took a Republican President sending the U.S. Army to Arkansas to stop the Democrats.  After that, Democrats learned to adapt, change as needed on minor points only, and continued to have strong control of almost all political offices.  Then during the last few years something changed.

 

The “something” that changed may have been brought on by the implementation of President Obama’s job killing Obamacare-job killing being something Arkansas cannot stand.  It may have been a wave of education with the advent of the Internet and social media, but suddenly the little “Democrat Controlled” state of Arkansas began to see the voting population shifting.  Voters became educated and they began to ask questions.  They began to look at the history of the Democratic Party and more importantly they began to look at the history of the Republican Party.  Voters began to realize that the Grand Old Party is not a bunch of rich people trying to destroy the rights of others.  What they found is that anyone could be a part of the Grand Old Party and that everyone was welcome!  They began to see that average people, not just rich people, made up the ranks of people called Republicans.  Then they began to look at the history and see that the Republicans had been defending them all along.  They saw that when the Democratic Party worked to keep them “in-line” the Republican Party worked to help lift them up.  Many found it odd when they studied and found that Republicans had pushed and voted to give African-American Citizens the right to vote-without a single Democrat vote!  They began to find it strange that Democratic governors across the south had tried to keep African-American Children from going to school-while a Republican President stood firm and ensured the children could go to school.  They began to find it odd that the first Hispanic American to serve on a President’s cabinet served on Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Cabinet.  They then found the first African-American man to serve as Secretary of State served for George Bush, Sr. and the first African-American woman served as Secretary of State for George Bush, Jr.  The Internet and education is a powerful tool and that power continued to reach voters.

 

As the voters became educated, the elections began to turn.  Primaries saw huge turnouts of Republican Voters.  Republicans began to win more races.  In 2012, Miller County, Arkansas saw all Republican candidates win office except for one.  On the state level Republicans began to gain offices in the legislative body.  On the Federal level, Republicans now hold all except for one federal seat in Arkansas. 

 

Perhaps one of the most important signs of this Republican wave in Arkansas occurred a couple of weeks ago.  Statewide, 138 Republicans filed for office.  Only 88 Democrats filed for office.  No longer does a Republican candidates walk into the county courthouses across the state and hear, “You can’t win as a Republican”.