RPA Weekly Recap | February 12, 2024

Governor Sanders Nominates Lindsay Wallace for Corrections Secretary


Gov. Sarah Sanders on Thursday (Feb. 8) named Lindsay Wallace as a nominee for Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Wallace has served as chief of staff at the department since August of 2020.


“The safety of all Arkansans is my priority. I have a responsibility as Governor to ensure our Department of Corrections operates under qualified leadership. I know that Lindsay has the experience to lead the department and will work diligently to expand prison capacity and end the failed policy of catch and early release,” said Gov. Sanders.


You can read the full article here.


Black History Month


In honor of Black History Month, the RPA will be highlighting Arkansas’ Black Leaders, this week we are highlighting Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Born in Cotton Plant, she was one of gospel music’s first superstars, gaining popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. The first gospel performer to record for a major record label (Decca), and an early crossover from gospel to secular music.


Tharpe was a pioneer in her guitar technique; she was among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, opening the way to the rise of electric blues.


She was one of the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences, later being referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll".


Tharpe has been cited as an influence by numerous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and Arkansan Johnny Cash.



In 2018, Tharpe was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence. She was named the 6th greatest guitarist of all time in 2023 by Rolling Stone.


Election 2024

One week until early voting starts for the 2024 primary election. Check your voter registration status, look up your polling locations, and review a sample ballot by clicking here.


Make your voting plan, and commit to Bank Your Vote!

Right now, a group with the misleading name, Arkansans for Limited Government, is gathering signatures to add their Abortion Amendment to the November ballot. 


What you can do:

-Share this video   

- Decline to sign

- Pray for our state


Watch the Video Here

Sen. Tom Cotton Sat Down to Discuss Funding Legislation and More


Shannon Bream | Fox News Sunday


Watch the Interview Here

Arkansas is Less Than a Month Away From Its Primary Election on March 5, Chairman Joseph K. Wood Offers His Perspective on the Candidates and Issues Influencing Voters


Steve Barnes | Arkansas Week


Watch the Interview Here

Multiple Democratic Candidates for State Offices Have Active State Tax Liens Filed Against Them


Mike Wickline | Democrat Gazette


Read the Article Here

All four Arkansas Congressmen Back Legislation to Expand Child Tax Credit, 191,000 Arkansas Children Could Benefit in First Year


Alex Thomas | Democrat Gazette


Read the Article Here

The Arkansas Ethics Commission has two upcoming campaign finance training opportunities in the month of February for the 2024 election cycle.


This Friday, February 16th and next Thursday February 22nd.


Download the Registration Form Here

Op-Ed: Lowering Drug Prices is the Key to Global Competitiveness


State Rep. Aaron Pilkington in Arkansas Money & Politics


Read the Article Here

Attorney General Griffin Announces Arkansas Child ID Program


Malvern Daily Record


Read the Article Here

Chairman Joseph K. Wood had the opportunity to provide the invocation at the RNC Winter Meeting, as well as provide an Arkansas update to other State Chairs in the region.





Chairman Wood was the keynote speaker at the Cleburne County Republican Women chili fundraiser.




"Elderly Man With A Poor Memory"


Americans should be very alarmed by the release of the special counsel report showing Joe Biden willfully broke the law. If Biden is too cognitively impaired to be charged with a crime, he is not fit to serve a second term.


What you need to know:

  • This week, a special counsel found Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials” — including classified documents related to national security and “sensitive intelligence sources and methods” — in his home, garage, and office for decades.
  • But in a classic example of the double standard of justice, Biden won’t be charged because he’s a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
  • The special counsel’s report is an abject disaster for Biden.
  • According to the report, Biden “did not remember when he was vice president” or “when his son Beau died,” and exhibited diminished faculties and “significant limitations” during his interview with the special counsel.
  • The special counsel said Biden’s handling of the classified documents — often found in “damaged” and “opened” containers — “present serious risks to national security.”
  • During Thursday night's press conference Biden confused the leader of Egypt with the leader of Mexico.
  • He called the response to the horrific October 7 attack on Israel, "over the top."
  • Meanwhile, Biden — who has repeatedly said he bears no responsibility for those 50 years of malfeasance — celebrated the double standard.


The bottom line:

The special counsel’s report shows we have a two-tiered justice system. Voters know Joe Biden is unfit to serve in the highest office in the land. His mental decline is both sad and alarming, and putting a ‘sympathetic,’ ‘elderly’ man who can’t remember major events from his own life back in the Oval Office would undoubtedly make America less safe.


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