Local GOP goes negative in House District 67

With incumbent Rep. Steve Breedlove (D-Greenwood) opening up a double digit lead in a recent poll, the local Republican Party is hoping to close the gap by firing off this scathing press release critical of Breedlove earlier today. The Breedlove campaign responds with a press release of its own:

Representative Steve Breedlove responded to a press release issued by Sebastian County Republican Chairman Jake Files accusing Breedlove of favoring gay adoption. "The allegation that I helped kill legislation that would have prevented homosexuals from adopting children and serving as parents is an outright lie," Breedlove said. “Jake Files and John Van Gorder should be ashamed of themselves." Breedlove said he has not in the past nor does he today support gay adoption. "As a Church of Christ preacher I strongly believe homosexuality is a sin," said Breedlove. Breedlove explained that the vote Files refers to was a committee vote taken in the afternoon while Breedlove was on his way back to Greenwood to teach a Bible study class. "I put my responsibilities to my church first," Breedlove commented. "My vote wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. The measure was seven votes short and never in hope of passing." Representative Breedlove also responded to Files’ reference to Representative Kathy Webb of Little Rock. "Representative Webb has donated to my campaign along with many other of my colleagues. One of her responsibilities of the House Democratic Caucus is to help fellow Democrats across the state," Breedlove explained. "I passed 70% of the bills I sponsored or co-sponsored due in large part to the fact that I have a good working relationship with the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives." Breedlove said he was confident the voters of District 67 would see this smear campaign for what it is. "They know I have worked for them, even standing up to Governor Beebe and the vast majority of my colleagues when I voted against the severance tax."

Breedlove was the only Democrat in the House to oppose the governor's proposal to increase the severance tax. The governor will travel to Sebastian County for a formal and public endorsement of Breedlove.

Breedlove sponsored and passed the largest scholarship program in the history of Arkansas, benefiting 57% of all Arkansas High School graduates. He wants to follow up with that by sponsoring legislation that will create a scholarship program for those who have served in combat.