Times Record - Candidate Q&A: Whitaker, Womack Seek 3rd District Seat

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Third Congressional District voters will choose Rogers Mayor Steve Womack or former Fayetteville assistant city attorney David Whitaker to succeed U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers.

Boozman chose to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat, instead of seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Whitaker was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while Womack fought through an eight-candidate Republican primary and run-off primary election against state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe to secure the GOP nomination.

Womack, 53, a retired Arkansas Army National Guard colonel, is in his third term as Rogers' mayor after being first elected in 1998.

Before he was elected mayor, Womack managed KURM radio, which he and his father established in 1979, until 1990. He served as executive officer for the U.S. Army ROTC program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville from 1990-96.

Whitaker, 49, graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1999 and took a position with the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as coordinator of the 4th Judicial District Domestic Violence Task Force.

In 2001, he became assistant city attorney for the city of Fayetteville, where he remained until September 2009 when he resigned to begin his campaign for the 3rd District seat.

Whitaker served in the Air Force from 1983-89 as a Russian linguist in military intelligence, achieving the rank of staff sergeant before he was honorably discharged.

Both Womack and Whitaker, during a recent Fort Smith League of Women Voters forum, cited job creation and cutting federal spending as their top priorities if elected.

The GOP has held the 3rd District seat since 1967.

The questions below were e-mailed to both candidates, who were asked to limit their responses to no more than 150 words. The Whitaker campaign confirmed receipt of the questions but provided no responses. Womack responded by e-mail.

Taking the issue of health care off the table, if you could sponsor only one bill in the next session of Congress that you think would do the most to help Arkansans, what would it be and how would you go about getting your bill supported and passed?

Womack: Legislation that is purposed in getting control of government spending -- i.e. balanced budget legislation, caps on deficit/debt, etc. -- is a critical need facing America. The burden our enormous debt is placing on future generations is unconscionable and irresponsible. It weakens our economic standing and threatens our national security. I will work toward building consensus with like-minded members who share these concerns.

If the economy clearly was headed for an economic meltdown, would you vote for another bailout? Please explain.

Womack: I am opposed to government bailouts.

What bill or bills are floating out there or what would you propose that would provide the most help to Arkansans who are suffering as a result of economic woes that continue to hit Arkansas?

Womack: I am interested most in policies/legislation that affect our ability to create jobs. Issues of tax policy, energy legislation (cap and trade), health care law, Employee Free Choice (Card Check) legislation are all areas that have America's free enterprise system sidelined.

What impact would the "fair tax" -- a national sales tax -- have on the unemployment rate and what would you do to minimize it? Obviously, Internal Revenue Service employees and accountants who earn the majority of their living on income tax preparation would be adversely affected.

Womack: I believe in tax reform. I have not rendered opinions on Fair Tax or Flat Tax vs. the current system. Both (Fair/Flat) have merits. I have concerns over costs associated with implementation, mortgage interest deductions, charitable deductions, etc. But the tax code as currently written is too complex and requires professional services. It must be simplified if it continues to be our system of preference. I am also concerned about other tax proposals -- specifically the Value Added Tax (VAT) -- which could be recommended by the Debt Commission. I will oppose these new tax proposals as long as we have the 16th Amendment (Income Tax).

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