CONWAY — Democrat Gene Jeffress and two third-party candidates seeking an open U.S. House seat in south Arkansas painted Republican Tom Cotton as more concerned about financial backers than his potential constituents during a debate Thursday.
“I don’t represent the people in New York or Washington,” Jeffress said. “Gene Jeffress is taking only funds from my district and Gene Jeffress is going to be supporting those people as well.”
The debate was taped and is slated to air at 8 p.m. Thursday on AETN. Election Day is Nov. 6.
Cotton, a political newcomer who has managed to raise more money than the state’s other GOP House members, spent part of Thursday’s debate emphasizing his ties to the state.
“I’m asking to go to Congress to serve you because too often we have politicians in both parties in Washington that forget what’s best about America, forget those lessons that I learned growing up on my family farm in Yell County …” said Cotton, an Army veteran and former management consultant.
Cotton campaign spokesman Doug Coutts said some of Jeffress’ money comes from outside Arkansas.
Cotton and Jeffress, a state senator and former schoolteacher, are vying to replace Democratic Rep. Mike Ross in Arkansas’ 4th District, which stretches through most of south Arkansas and into the Republican-friendly northwest part of the state.
Ross announced last year that he would not seek re-election to the district he’s represented since 2000, raising GOP hopes for a sweep of the state’s four congressional districts.
The race also includes two third-party candidates: Green Party nominee Joshua Drake and Libertarian Bobby Tullis.
Drake, a Hot Springs lawyer, said that just because third-party candidates don’t have the money to air commercials, it doesn’t mean their voices shouldn’t be heard.
“It bothers me that Tom Cotton can produce slick television commercials that show him as Arkansas’ native son,” Drake told reporters after the debate. “Tom Cotton left Arkansas the minute he graduated from high school and didn’t look back until he was sent back to run for Congress.”
Tullis, a former state representative, portrayed Cotton as a man who would use the 4th District seat as a stepping stone to the Senate or loftier offices.
“I hope Mr. Cotton will educate us on how many months he will serve before he decides to run against Sen. Pryor,” he said, referring to Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor.
Cotton brushed off Tullis’ criticism.
“Bobby, thank you for conceding the race to me. I’m sure than Gene and Josh have something to say about that, though,” said Cotton, who announced his candidacy the day Ross said he wouldn’t run.
Cotton certainly has the advantage when it comes to fundraising. He has raised nearly $2 million and is backed by prominent Republicans, including U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, and conservative groups such as the Club for Growth and Tea Party Express.
Jeffress, meanwhile, points to his cash-strapped operation as a badge of honor.
“I have not received one penny from the National Democratic Party. Did you hear that? One penny,” he said.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)
Sign up for Daily E-news
