Ark. Senate to hold hearings on '06 SD16 runoff election

The Associated Press reports that the Arkansas Senate's State Agencies and Government Affairs Committee will hold proceedings in March to decide whether Sen. Jack Crumbly (D-Widener) can keep his seat after a trial court recently ruled that the Legislature, not the courts, should decide who is the seat's proper occupant.

Arnell Willis (D-Helena) filed a lawsuit challenging election results from the 2006 Democratic primary runoff after initial results showed him to be the winner in that race. After a recount, Crumbly was declared the winner, and he was sworn in last year and served in the 86th General Assembly. The lawsuit alleges claims of election fraud in the St. Francis County portion of the district. After the Senate committee hears all of the evidence, it will make a recommendation to the full 35-member Senate body. Faris told the Associated Press that this election dispute hearing will be the first in Arkansas Senate history.