|
|
| |
| Wed, Dec. 3, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Wives hit campaign trail for husbands in governor's race Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Ginger Beebe and Susan Hutchinson may not be as well known as their husbands, but they are out making names for themselves during this campaign season. One of them will eventually be the next first lady of Arkansas. Ginger is the wife of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Beebe, and Susan is the wife of Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson. The two women have been assuming much more visible roles in the governor's race the past few weeks, and their husbands said last week that voters should expect to see more of them between now and the Nov. 7 general election. In recent weeks, Ginger Beebe has campaigned for her husband at Arkansas State University football games in Little Rock and Jonesboro, and she has attended events and made speeches in a number of other cities, including Arkadelphia, Earle, Gurdon and Russellville. Susan Hutchinson has toured a drug treatment center in Rogers, given speeches on her husband's behalf at the Benton County Lincoln Day Dinner and at the Republican Party of Arkansas' state convention. She also has attended several fundraisers, community meetings and luncheons around the state. Both candidates said they are depending on their wives more and more as Election Day nears and the demands on their schedules increase. "She's genuine, warm and caring," Mike Beebe said about his wife of 27 years. Several people have told him recently, "Don't come back to the county, just send Ginger," he said. The Beebes have three adult children. Though her husband has served in public office for nearly 24 years - he served 20 years in the state Senate and is currently completing fourth year as attorney general - the gubernatorial campaign is his first with an actual opponent. Ginger Beebe, a master gardener and an active volunteer both in Searcy and at the state level, said she has enjoyed being on the road and talking about her husband's candidacy. "I enjoy campaigning and the opportunity to help spread Mike's message for affordable health care and a quality education," she said. "I've volunteered with the hospital auxiliary, CARTI auxiliary and at our local schools. I understand the importance of health care and education in our state." She said she is "truly honored to have met so many wonderful people across the state who share Mike's vision for making Arkansas a better place to live and raise a family." Asa Hutchinson said he could not run for governor without his wife's support. "She's been very active," he said. "She has represented me at events at which I could not make it, in fact at events where Mr. Beebe was speaking." The Hutchinsons have four children and two grand children. Susan Hutchinson has helped her husband campaign in some tough races before. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1986 and for state attorney general in 1990. He was elected to Congress in 1996 and later was President Bush's appointee as director of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and as undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "I remember back in 1986, Asa was getting a Young Jaycees award as one of the 10 outstanding Arkansans of 1985 and it was so odd because Sen. (Dale) Bumpers was giving the award," Susan Hutchinson recalled. "I received the award on behalf of my husband from Dale Bumpers, his opponent in the 1986 race. When it comes to Asa, I'm fearless." Bumpers defeated Hutchinson in 1986. Because her husband was a U.S. attorney and later served as DEA director, she said she likes to visit with people in small towns and communities and talk about how they are affected by law enforcement. "I like to know what's happening with people," she said. "I am really proud of what Asa does and we do it as a team," she said. "I like being the wind beneath his wings." Arkansas' current first lady, Janet Huckabee, a veteran of numerous statewide campaigns, including a a failed bid of her own for secretary of state in 2002, said if she had any advice for Ginger Beebe and Susan Hutchinson, "most importantly they ought to have fun." "They need to make sure they have their family's support, which they do, and they need to be true to themselves and not try to pretend they're somebody they're not," said Huckabee, who actively campaigned for and with her husband in five statewide races. Gov. Mike Huckabee lost a U.S. Senate bid to Bumpers in 1992, won a special election for lieutenant governor the following year and was re-elected in 1994. He ascended to governor when former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker resigned following Whitewater convictions in 1996, won a four-year term of his own in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002. Mike Huckabee was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election this year and will leave office in January. |
