Arkansas Democrat Party Leader at Odds With Fellow Democrats Over Contribution Limits

The House approved HB 2410 proposed by proposal by House Speaker Benny Petrus (D-Stuttgart) that was by 89-3 vote. Among other things, the bill cut the maximum individual contributions to a candidate from $2,000 to $1,000. It would also prohibit contributions from two or more businesses sharing the same majority owner. The bill has been sent to the Senate.

Outgoing state Democratic Party chairman, Jason Willett, severely objected to the proposal. In an email, Willett said, "These two provisions ensure that only the Donald Trumps and Arnold Schwarzeneggers of the world can successfully run for public office. ... This bill would hurt great candidates. It will hurt anyone who seeks to serve the public who cannot self-fund their campaign."

Petrus argued before the vote, "If we don't police ourselves and the people in government, nobody else will." Members of the Democratic-controlled Legislature who had received Willett's e-mail were asked by a reporter if the email reflected the opinion of the Arkansas Democrat Party. Rep. Steve Harrelson (D- Texarkana), the House majority leader, said Willett's letter did not represent the views of the House Democratic caucus.

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