UPDATE: Here’s a surprise. Gov. Mike Beebe is recommending Todd Turner, a trial lawyer from Arkadelphia and a good one, as Arkansas Democratic Party chair. If sticktoitiveness will get the job done, Todd will get it done. Payday lenders won’t cheer. Heh. He’s been Clark County Democratic chair. We mentioned him in last week’s Arkansan of the Year report.

John Williams provides the bulletin from a Governor’s Mansion meeting of the Political Animals Club.

Advertisement

It’s hard for the general public to get worked up about this, understandably. But that chair has one very important role — raising money. And money will be important in 2010 when U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln hopes to hang onto her seat.

I was told this morning by a member of the Democratic State Committee, which will elect the chair, that three people had turned down overtures about the job, which might say something. (Gov. Beebe said the job was not offered to anyone but Turner.) Jimmie Lou Fisher, Political Animals Club pres Steve Ronnel, political operator Vince Insalaco of North Little Rockand PR man Jordan Johnson were among those who’d been mentioned for the job to succeed the late Bill Gwatney, the car dealer who was slain at Democratic Party HQ last year by a man who later died at the end of a police chase. The killer left no explanation for the crime. Retired U.S. Sen. David Pryor has been leading the party on an interim basis.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article ‘Love Guru’ still hated on Next article Ben Nichols, on video and in review