Arkansas News Bureau - Benton County delegation could go to ladies

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Benton County delegation could go to ladies
Thursday, Oct 25, 2007

By Doug Thompson
Arkansas News Bureau
FAYETTEVILLE - Benton County's legislative delegation could be mostly women in the 2009 session.

"After the kids have left the nest, we're finding that politics is just what you might want to do," state Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, said during a speech Wednesday to the Washington County Republican Women.

Term limits have created an opportunity for women, she said.

Hutchinson is the only incumbent member of the six-member Benton County House delegation who is seeking re-election. Four of the remaining five are term-limited and one chose not to seek another term.

The only member of the Senate who lives in Benton County and is still to serve in the 2009 session is Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette.

So far, women who have announced to run for the Legislature in Benton County include Hutchinson, former state Rep. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers, County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard of Bentonville, Justice of the Peace Debra Hobbs of Rogers, Vickey Boozman of Cave Springs and Linda Bisbee of Rogers.

Bledsoe is running as a Republican for the Senate District 8 seat currently held by term-limited Sen. Dave Bisbee, R-Rogers. Bledsoe has no announced opposition.

Bisbee's wife, Linda, has announced her Republican bid for the District 95 House seat being vacated by Rep. Aaron Burkes, R-Lowell, a freshman lawmaker who is not seeking a second term. Linda Bisbee has no announced opposition.

Slinkard will seek the District 100 seat now held by term-limited Rep. Daryl Pace, R-Siloam Springs. She is opposed in the Republican primary by Gravette alderman Byron Warren.

Hobbs has announced for the District 96 seat now held by term-limited Rep. Keven Anderson, R-Rogers.

Boozman, widow of former Benton County state senator and state Health Director Fay Boozman, is running for the District 99 seat of Rep. Horace Hardwick, R-Bentonville, who is also term-limited.

Vickie Boozman is opposed in the GOP primary by Tim Summers of Bentonville and Joshua Q. Mostyn of Rogers.