One of the most heart breaking casualties of the teabagger tsunami last year was that of Representative Barbara Nix, one of the most effective members of the Arkansas state legislature and one of the best Democrats in our caucus. Rep. Nix is attempting a comeback this year, squaring off in a rematch against Republican Kim Hammer. The Benton based district is tough territory, but Nix is a seasoned campaigner and there are still some really good Democrats (like former Senator Shane Broadway) who’ve shown strength in the area so it’s not out of reach. Nix may have done herself a major favor yesterday, coming out on her facebook page endorsing the popular ethics/campaign finance reform initiative Regnat Populus, becoming the latest in a long line of Democrats to embrace the effort while prominent Republicans have started trashing it. Nix not only endorsed the measure, she whacked a couple of Republicans opposing it (Mark Darr and John Burris), saying “I definitely don’t see it as a Party issue, just a ‘what’s right for people’ issue.”
Hopefully, the people of HD-28 realize the mistake they made last year and send Rep. Nix back for another term, because all of Arkansas could use someone with her conscience and conviction back in the legislature.
