BISBEE. The name is familiar to voters in Benton County. But this time the candidate for the Legislature isn’t the long-time state representative and senator by the name of Dave Bisbee. His wife, Linda Bisbee, is running for an open seat in House District 95.
The district includes part of Rogers and the east side of Benton County. It has been represented since 2007 by Aaron Burkes, who’s not seeking reelection. Linda Bisbee is our recommendation to succeed him.
Mrs. Bisbee hasn’t held elective office before, but she’s had a lasting interest in politics. She’s also seen the Legislature from the inside as Dave Bisbee’s wife and partner during his years of legislative service. Her exposure to the workings of the Ledge gives her a lot more insight than most newcomers to the House would have.
Like her husband, Linda Bisbee takes a practical approach to public service. She’s more interested in providing effective leadership and oversight of state government than in trying to make government conform to her own theories. That formula has worked well for her husband over the years. He used it to build a reputation as a legislator who could put together productive compromises. For somebody who was in the minority party, his was a good way to get things done. Building a consensus across party lines made Senator Bisbee an unusually wellrespected member of the Legislature.
Linda Bisbee expects to follow the same, proven path. She wants to stick with the progress that’s been made when it comes to funding education. No tinkering with the way allocations have been made until Arkansans can see what’s working. She’d like to see the last 3 percent of the state’s sales tax removed from groceries. She’s committed to keeping the Freedom of Information law intact. And she promises a close look at any new legislation; the lady knows that simplistic answers are, well, too simple in a complex would.
Should political offices go to members of the same family ? There isn’t a simple answer to that question, either. It all depends on the family member. In this case, Linda Bisbee looks like the right candidate in House District 95. For those who might think another Bisbee in the Legislature is one too many, her husband is term-limited this year. He won’t be in the Ledge even if Linda Bisbee were to win her election. But we trust that his wise counsel will continue to be available to Linda Bisbee.
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