Analyzing the 2008 House Races: District 68
House District 68
Thomas Akin (D-Russellville) and Andrea Lea (R-Russellville) are running for the seat being vacated by term-limited Rep. Michael Lamoureux (R-Russellville). Akin has owned and operated Thomas Akin Contractor, Inc, a poultry services company now based in Russellville. Lea is a three-time member of the Pope County Quorum Court. Both parties have targeted this seat, and it looks to be one of the most competitive legislative races in the state this year.
A word about Lamoureux
I served two terms with Rep. Lamoureaux, and we graduated from law school together. A former minority leader in the House during the Huckabee administration, Lamoureux has been one of the most effective legislators in the chamber. We were both part of a coalition cited by the Arkansas Times for our votes on particular legislation. Although he's term limited from the House, most suspect that Lamoureux will remain active in Arkansas politics and may be drafted for higher office at some point.
I've only seen him act remotely partisan once, and even then he had a good point. He ran a bill in the last session to make the election of prosecutors non-partisan. "How can you be a Republican prosecutor?" he asked in committee. You got me. Of course, the undercurrent in that legislation is that filing fees paid by the candidates go into the party coffers, and Democrats have been a much larger beneficiary in the prosecutors' column.
Endorsements
Lamoureux and Sen. Sharon Trusty (R-Russellville) are among those supporting Andrea Lea. Former Representative Olin Cook (D-Russellville) is chairing Akin's campaign. Akin has received the endorsement of the Arkansas Realtors Association, the Independent Insurance Agents Association, the AFL-CIO, and other labor organizations. Lea has received the nod from Arkansas Right To Life, the NRA, and the Police Benevolent Association.
Governor Beebe and AG Dustin McDaniel have both been to Pope County to help Akin, and Lea has help from Congressman John Boozman and Russellville Mayor Tyrone Williamson.
Demographics/Landscape of the District
The biggest employers in District 68 include Arkansas Tech University, Nuclear One, ConAgra, and Tyson.
• Percentage in the legislative district with a high school diploma or higher: 80.7% (state percentage is 75.3%)
• Percentage in the legislative district with a bachelor's or higher: 24.3% (state percentage is 16.7%)
• District 68 median household income: $31,235 (state average is $32,182)
• District 68 median family income: $39,695 (state average is $38,663)
• Percentage of families in the legislative district below poverty: 11.4% (state percentage is 12%)
History
While Pope County has long trended Republican in statewide and presidential elections, it still splits tickets at the local level. All county officers are Democrats except for the treasurer and the coroner, and Democrats hold a narrow 7-5 advantage on the quorum court. Lamoureux is the first Republican to have held the House seat there. It was previously held by Democrat Olin Cook, and before that, Doc Bryan (D-Russellville), the former speaker of the House, held the seat for several years.
Other than 1996, Pope County has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980. In 2006, the county voted for Asa Hutchinson over Mike Beebe for Governor, and in 2004, the county voted for Republican Jim Holt over Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln for the U.S. Senate.
The money race
Both candidates have enough money to get their message to the voters, and both are using mail, radio, and television. As of the end of August, Akin had raised a total of $66,863, and he had $21,526 on hand.
As of the end of August, Lea had raised a total of $30,610, and she had $26,269 on hand.
TV ads
Questionnaires
Neither candidate filled out the Political Courage Test from Project Vote Smart
Turnout
There is a sheriff's race that, along with the presidential race, will drive turnout. It's the first sheriff's race in the county in 14 years and is hotly contested.
Polling
They've not been made public, but it's apparent that both campaigns/parties have polls that show them in the lead.
Here's a map of the district:
House District 68
A word about Lamoureux
I served two terms with Rep. Lamoureaux, and we graduated from law school together. A former minority leader in the House during the Huckabee administration, Lamoureux has been one of the most effective legislators in the chamber. We were both part of a coalition cited by the Arkansas Times for our votes on particular legislation. Although he's term limited from the House, most suspect that Lamoureux will remain active in Arkansas politics and may be drafted for higher office at some point.I've only seen him act remotely partisan once, and even then he had a good point. He ran a bill in the last session to make the election of prosecutors non-partisan. "How can you be a Republican prosecutor?" he asked in committee. You got me. Of course, the undercurrent in that legislation is that filing fees paid by the candidates go into the party coffers, and Democrats have been a much larger beneficiary in the prosecutors' column.
Endorsements
Lamoureux and Sen. Sharon Trusty (R-Russellville) are among those supporting Andrea Lea. Former Representative Olin Cook (D-Russellville) is chairing Akin's campaign. Akin has received the endorsement of the Arkansas Realtors Association, the Independent Insurance Agents Association, the AFL-CIO, and other labor organizations. Lea has received the nod from Arkansas Right To Life, the NRA, and the Police Benevolent Association.
Governor Beebe and AG Dustin McDaniel have both been to Pope County to help Akin, and Lea has help from Congressman John Boozman and Russellville Mayor Tyrone Williamson.
Demographics/Landscape of the District
The biggest employers in District 68 include Arkansas Tech University, Nuclear One, ConAgra, and Tyson.• Percentage in the legislative district with a high school diploma or higher: 80.7% (state percentage is 75.3%)
• Percentage in the legislative district with a bachelor's or higher: 24.3% (state percentage is 16.7%)
• District 68 median household income: $31,235 (state average is $32,182)
• District 68 median family income: $39,695 (state average is $38,663)
• Percentage of families in the legislative district below poverty: 11.4% (state percentage is 12%)
History
While Pope County has long trended Republican in statewide and presidential elections, it still splits tickets at the local level. All county officers are Democrats except for the treasurer and the coroner, and Democrats hold a narrow 7-5 advantage on the quorum court. Lamoureux is the first Republican to have held the House seat there. It was previously held by Democrat Olin Cook, and before that, Doc Bryan (D-Russellville), the former speaker of the House, held the seat for several years.
Other than 1996, Pope County has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1980. In 2006, the county voted for Asa Hutchinson over Mike Beebe for Governor, and in 2004, the county voted for Republican Jim Holt over Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln for the U.S. Senate.
The money race
Both candidates have enough money to get their message to the voters, and both are using mail, radio, and television. As of the end of August, Akin had raised a total of $66,863, and he had $21,526 on hand.
As of the end of August, Lea had raised a total of $30,610, and she had $26,269 on hand.
TV ads
| Thomas Akin (D) | Andrea Lea (R) |
Questionnaires
Neither candidate filled out the Political Courage Test from Project Vote Smart
Turnout
There is a sheriff's race that, along with the presidential race, will drive turnout. It's the first sheriff's race in the county in 14 years and is hotly contested.
Polling
They've not been made public, but it's apparent that both campaigns/parties have polls that show them in the lead.
 Akin |  Lea |
|---|---|
Hometown: Russellville Age: 54 Occupation: Self-employed Party: Democrat | Hometown: Russellville Age: 51 Occupation: Political consultant Party: Republican |
Here's a map of the district:
posted by Steve Harrelson @ 10/16/2008 01:26:00 PM | Permalink |
<< Home