Judge’s son challenges Martin for House seat
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hunton
The biggest difference between the two candidates for state House District 87 is their involvement in public education and their commitment for funding pre-kindergarten programs.
State Rep. Mark Martin, R-Prairie Grove, faces a challenge from Earl J. Hunton, who is seeking to recapture for the Democrats this seat held by his father, Jerry, from 1991 through 1998.
Jerry Hunton was elected Washington County judge in 1998 after he was term limited in the House. The GOP has held the District 87 seat ever since.
Martin, a self-employed engineer, is seeking his third and final term in the House. Martin, who will rank fourth in seniority if re-elected, said that his experience and seniority make him the best choice for the district.
Martin said he’s got some unfinished business in Little Rock and that he wants to “ see some limitations on government spending. ”
Earl Hunton, a farmer who has served on the Lincoln Board of Education since 1999, said he’s running for a House seat because he wants to do whatever he can to make Arkansas a better place for his kids to grow up.
Hunton said he was approached about running for county judge to succeed his father, who is not seeking re-election, but decided to run for the House instead because he “ needed a little more experience. ”
supports making pre-kindergarten education available for everyone. If the state can’t afford it for everyone, Hunton at least wants to make pre-kindergarten available for middle-class kids whose parents can’t afford to send them to private preschool. Martin said research shows that funding universal prekindergarten is not cost effective but he supports pre-kindergarten for low-income children because this investment pays for itself. “ I’m all for providing it for the people that actually need it, ” Martin said. “ As income levels increase, the return drops off sharply. ” Hunton’s involvement in public schools includes serving a a regional director for the Arkansas School Boards Association, in addition to his local school board service. Hunton said he believes in local control of schools and criticized Martin for voting in favor of countywide school districts. Martin said that he supports public schools even though his children are homeschooled. He said he’s got a good track record of supporting public funding for public schools. He said that his children may someday attend public schools. Martin said he’d like to see a state college scholarship funding system that required students to stay in the state to qualify. A student loan reimbursement program might work better because it could prevent graduates from leaving the state, he said.
Hunton, who was adopted, plans to submit a bill seeking college scholarship funding for adopted children. He said this would be a good way to promote adoption and to say thanks to the parents who adopt children.
Martin plans to introduce a bill that would remove the bingo tax because he said it is hurting the very nonprofit groups it was supposed to help. The bingo tax cost the American Legion post in Prairie Grove $ 6, 000 that would have been available for scholarships and other local aid, said Martin.
Hunton seeks to increase property tax relief for elderly taxpayers. Martin wants to increase medical reimbursement for in-home care because it is less expensive than nursing homes.
The candidates appear to agree on more issues than not.
Both candidates said they support eliminating the sale tax on food. Hunton said legislators will “ have to look at it and see if we can afford it. ” Martin is convinced that the state’s surplus is enough to make up for any budget shortfall caused by eliminating food sales tax collections.
Both candidates said they support making animal cruelty a felony and will likely support a bill being drafted by the attorney general’s office with help from the Farm Bureau and other groups. Both said they will only support legislation if it protects farmers.
Hunton pointed out that Martin has voted twice against animal cruelty legislation sponsored by state Sen. Sue Madison.
Martin said he voted against Madison’s bill because it allowed citizen’s arrests from anyone who completed a training course and Martin believes only law enforcement should make arrests.
Both candidates support the right to bear arms.
Both said they support reforms in the state’s faster care system.
Martin acknowledges that the two candidates differ little on several issues.
“ I feel like I’ve had a shadow in this campaign, ” Martin said.
Hunton believes he knows the district better than Martin because he’s lived there longer. He said he’ll be more responsive.
Hunton said he knows the hardships that everyday people go through. He said that he will listen to the people, take their phone calls and be responsive.
“ I don’t think Mr. Martin has done that, ” he said.
Martin believes that his support comes from all types of voters in this conservative district.
“ They judge the person, ” Martin said.
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