Election Day for the state’s primary is Tuesday, and several local races will be seen on the ballots.
Whether you’ve been closely following the local races or barely knew an election was going on, the staff at the El Dorado News-Times wants to make sure that every voter is prepared to go cast their ballot Tuesday. Below you’ll find our first Voter’s Guide, which breaks down the local contested races appearing on the primary ballots with the highlights for each candidate. Candidates are listed in order of how they will appear on the ballot.
If you’d like to know more, visit eldoradonews.com and look back through our Sunday editions starting on April 22 to see stories and profiles on each local contested race. And stay with us to keep up on new developments as the election transitions to the November’s general.
And don’t forget to vote Tuesday!
DEMOCRAT BALLOT
Union County Tax Collector
Name: Karen Scott
Age: 36
Occupation: Deputy assessor in the Union County Assessor’s office
Why run? “To restore confidence and respect back into the courthouse.”
Key issues: Having the assessor’s office and tax collector’s office work together.
Name: Paula Beard
Age: 61
Occupation: Incumbent tax collector
Why run? “To continue to elevate the Union County tax collector’s office.”
Key issues: Continue bringing the tax collector’s office into the 21st century.
El Dorado alderman, Ward 3, Position 2
Name: Andre Rucks
Age: 43
Occupation: Professional insurance agent/fiduciary agent
Why run? “I grew up in humble beginnings (Haygood Neal Apartments), single mother, fatherless home, I can relate, as well as connect with, all the individuals who comes from similar beginnings. … I feel that I have an obligation to reach back and pave the way for other less fortunate individuals who may have had similar beginnings.”
Key issues: To tackle poverty in the community and take a restorative approach to economic needs, being sure to include all residents in the economic growth of El Dorado.
Name: Tony Henry
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired from Clean Harbors as warehouse supervisor
Why run? “To continue to improve our community and city in a positive way.”
Key issues: Beautification, housing and business/economic development.
REPUBLICAN BALLOT
Mayor - City of El Dorado
Name: Christopher Lutman
Age: 47
Occupation: Community relations police sergeant, El Dorado Police Department
Why run? “I chose to run for this position because for 10 years as a police officer, I have seen all parts of this city. I have heard and seen the concerns from many people from different wards. In many cases, their concerns have been overlooked.”
Key issues: A lack of consistency in city government and services.
Name: Frank R. Hash
Age: 73
Occupation: Mayor, city of El Dorado
Why run? “There are many major exciting and game changing developments on the horizon for El Dorado and I would welcome the opportunity to help bring them to fruition.”
Key issues: Ensuring the city has the revenue available to provide the essential functions of fire protection, police and safety services, sanitation, water, sewer, streets and recreation facilities.
Name: Bill Luther
Age: 64
Occupation: Recently retired from Entergy as the customer service manager for El Dorado area
Why run? “I announced my candidacy for mayor because I believe my unique blend of public and private sector experience will serve the citizens of El Dorado well.”
Key issues: Creating new jobs; keep existing businesses growing; repairing streets and fixing potholes; providing a high level of public services; picking up litter and cleaning up our city; and providing the basic essential services of police and fire protection.
Union County Quorum Court, Justice of the Peace, District 10
Name: Bret Garrett
Age: 59
Occupation: Retired, former engineer at Lion Oil
Why run? “I enjoy serving the public and working to better our community.”
Key issues: Integrity, good stewardship, financial accountability and economic development.
Name: Donald Brock
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired, formerly in the oil and gas industry
Why run? “I thought it was time maybe that I could give a little back [to Union County].”
Key issues: Transparency, economic development, efficient and effective spending and improving conditions in Union County.
What to expect on the ballot
With primary elections set for Tuesday, voters may be curious as to what exactly will be listed on their ballots.
The News-Times has provided a breakdown of races that will appear on Union County ballots, with the information taken from sample ballots available on display in front of the Union County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse in downtown El Dorado.
Democratic ballot
• Governor: Jared K. Henderson or Leticia Sanders.
• Union County tax collector: Karen Scott or incumbent Paula Beard.
• Alderman for the city of El Dorado, Ward 3, Position 2: Andre Rucks or Tony Henry.
Republican ballot
• United States Congress, District 4: Randy Caldwell or incumbent Rep. Bruce Westerman.
• Governor: Jan Morgan or incumbent Asa Hutchinson.
• Secretary of State: John Thurston or Trevor Drown.
• Quorum Court Justice of the Peace, District 10: Bret Garrett or Donald Brock.
Editor’s note: According to the Union County Clerk’s Office, there is no digital copy of the county’s district map available. However, according to the map posted inside the clerk’s office within the courthouse, District 10 is an area of the county that is mostly west of El Dorado city limits and includes the city of Smackover, aligning most closely with an area bordered by West Hillsboro to the south, Shady Grove Road to the east, the northern boundary of the county limits and Union Road 433 to the east.
• Mayor of the city of El Dorado: Christopher Lutman, incumbent Frank R. Hash or Bill Luther.
All ballots
All ballots, regardless of party, also will include the nonpartisan judicial and school board races, which include:
• State Supreme Court Associate Justice, Position 3: David Sterling, Judge Kenneth Hixson or state Supreme Court Justice Courtney Goodson.
• Member Board of Directors, Smackover-Norphlet School District, Zone 3: Lynn Birchfield or Nathaniel J. Smith.
• Member Board of Directors, Parkers Chapel School District #35, Position 2: Wes Taylor or Bonnie B. Fish.
• Tax issues also will be listed on the ballot for each of the following school districts:
El Dorado - 33.5 mill school tax;
Parkers Chapel - 39.8 mill school tax;
Junction City - 40.9 mill school tax;
Smackover-Norphlet - 41 mill school tax; and
Strong Huttig - 39 mill school tax.
Each tax issue is asking to maintain the current rate.