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GREEN PARTY GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE STOPS IN PINE BLUFF

By Rick Joslin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:11 AM CDT

Former State Rep. Jim Lendall of Mabelvale knows the odds of being elected are against him, but the Green Party gubernatorial candidate figures he can win even if he loses.

“If I win, I would be more than satisfied and I’ll start doing some organic gardening at the (Governor’s) Mansion,” he said during a Tuesday visit to The Commercial. “But If I lose but still get three percent of the votes, I’ll be satisfied because that would guarantee us (the Green Party) a position on the ballot for every partisan office in the state for the next two elections.

“But I’m running to win, and I believe I can.”

The Green Party, which recruited Lendall, gained a spot on the upcoming general election ballot by collecting more than 18,000 signatures of registered voters on a petition. The state originally declared that signatures in excess of 24,000 — or three percent — of the state’s registered voters were necessary for the party’s official recognition, but the American Civil Liberties Union filed and won a legal challenge on behalf of the Green Party.

U.S. Court District Judge George Howard Jr. ruled that it was unconstitutional for the state to demand more signatures for a party’s affirmation than for independent Rod Bryan’s gubernatorial candidacy. Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson qualified for the Nov. 7 ballot as the respective candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Why does Lendall — generally considered the state’s most liberal legislator as both an independent and Democrat — believe he’s the best candidate for the job?

“I can provide the voters a real choice on issues and character,” he replied.

The 59-year-old nurse at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock touted his candidacy as a champion for environmental, education, tax, civil rights and worker rights reforms.

“I was the first legislator and I’m the only candidate to have sponsored legislation to eliminate sales tax on food,” he said. “I’ve been heavily involved in environmental issues, such as the Buffalo River, since the early 1970s. I want to protect our environment for both today and tomorrow.

“I think that it’s unfair to talk about bringing freedom around the world while so many are still finding ways to discriminate against people here. I want to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all Arkansans by fighting bigotry and discrimination.”

He said his Web site — www.JimLendall2006.com — is the most detailed on issues among all the candidates’ computer sites.

Lendall deplores what he termed as the “refusal” of political power brokers to allow him, as well as Bryan, to debate Hutchinson and Beebe.

“They don’t want someone who might ask questions and who gives straight answers to be heard,” Lendall charged.

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