A Good Name
Recently my opponent has brought into question my good name and integrity by suggesting I have a conflict of interest with and have been bought off by the oil and gas industry.  To substantiate this claim he points to stock investments I own and campaign contributions I have received.  I will address each of these in turn, however I want to first address the question of my integrity.  The Proverb above has, is, and will be one of the guiding principals in my life. 

I chose to run for office because I believe America is at a crossroads in its’ history.  The Constitution and Christian foundation our nation was built upon is being chipped away.  I believe to restore our nation we have to get back to the Constitution and the Christian principals America was founded on.  For that to happen, Christians must be willing to run for public office.  The question I found myself asking was how could I ask another to do it, if I wasn’t first willing to serve myself?  Since taking office I have strived to walk upright in integrity, to earnestly serve those in my district, and to study the writings of the founders to seek the wisdom to be a good American servant-leader.  Now, you don’t run for office if you have a thin skin.  You will always have critics no matter what decisions you make.  I believe debate is a good and healthy part of our Republic.  I also believe we can agree to disagree, but still respect each other’s integrity. 

It’s easy to say you’re a Christian and you value your good name above great riches, politicians do it all the time.  Actions, of course, speak louder than words.  During the last campaign cycle when I was struggling to find enough money just to buy yard signs, I received a contribution from a beer manufacturing lobbying group.  As a Christian first, I thanked them for their generosity then respectfully returned the contribution.   As a Representative I am offered free Oaklawn passes to give to the community.  As a Christian who does not condone gambling, I chose not to participate. 

The Monday following the 4.7 earthquake, I sponsored and had legislation drafted giving the Governor emergency power to shut down wells in a seismic zone.   It was completed on Wednesday morning.  I took it to the Governor’s office for their review.  They sent it over to AOGC and within 24 hours the wells were shut down.  Does that sound like someone who is in the back pockets of industry or someone who is looking out for thier district?  This is the first I’ve made this public.  It didn’t matter to me who got credit, the results were what counted.  I was elected to serve the public not get my name in the paper.

At church, when I asked my pastor for prayer in seeking wisdom on how to respond to this accusation, he gave me the following:  A man’s integrity will shine through the attacks waged against it.  I whole-heartedly agree.

The Stocks
When someone runs for office parts of their life get opened up for public scrutiny.  Each year we must file a Financial Disclosure and list investment we have more than $1000 in.  Some 7 years ago I rolled over a 401k from a previous employer into an IRA.  This IRA lets me invest in stocks.  I have chosen to pursue high dividend paying stock to grow my IRA; even if the market goes down, you still at least make the dividends.  Royalty Trust are among the best dividend payers so I have a couple of these.

• BPT – BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust – I purchased this in 2005 at $67 a share.  Now it is at $122 and has a $2.64 / per quarter dividend.   It has been a good stock.  Prudhoe Bay is located in Alaska.  I have ZERO influence in Alaska.
• SJT – San Juan Basin Royalty Trust – Another Royalty trust that I’ve owned for many years, long before I ever thought of running for office.  The stock price isn’t doing very well right now, but I keep it because it pays a good monthly dividend.  This trust is located in New Mexico.  I have ZERO influence in New Mexico.
• BP – British Petroleum – I purchased this one after the gulf oil spill, and the cleanup had begun.  The price of the stock plunged.  I purchased knowing it would one day recover.  No influence in England.
• AGNC – American Capital Agency Corp. and HTS – Hatteras Financial Corp. These other two, which my opponent “is investigating”, are both Mortgage REIT companies.  I don’t think there is any oil or gas connections here, but I could be wrong.  These also pay a good dividend.   

I started with about $5500 in 2005 and with the help of the dividends have been able to double that in the past seven years.  My position gives me no influence on any of these companies.  No conspiracy here, I’m just trying to save for my retirement, some 25 years away.  I’m not tied to any these stocks though.  If my opponent is willing to cover the cost of any capital gains taxes and/or any losses I’ll be happy to sell them and buy less “controversial” stocks.

Campaign Contributions
I am not a man of wealth, my wife and I share an 8 year old car.  Asking for money is probably the part of office that I like the least.  I hate asking for money.  I was brought up to work for the things you get.   Yard Signs, hand-outs, mailers, balloons, they all cost money though.  I am still humbled when someone says they believe enough in what I’m doing that they are willing to invest in me.  When someone makes a donation to me, be it a neighbor or a corporation, it says to me, they want to support the principals I stand on.  If anyone tries to buy my vote or threatens not to support me if I don’t vote a certain way they can keep their money.    

Now, let’s look at a quick scenario.  Candidate A opposes raising your taxes and is willing to work with you and your opposition to help you find common ground solutions.  Candidate B wants to raise your taxes and temporarily shut your business down until your opposition is satisfied.  What candidate are you going to donate to?  Candidate A.  If I receive campaign money from Natural Gas, it’s because I’m candidate A.  Nothing nefarious, just common sense.  

To set the record straight, my largest contributor thus far is a retiree who is deeply concerned about the future of her country.

In Closing
Still unsure?  Ask the folks who know me, or get in touch with me.  I’d be happy to visit with you.   My opponent and I will continue to debate, the people will make their choice, and for my part when all is said and done, I hope to be able to shake his hand as fellow Arkansans.