Candidates seem to be overcoming the conditions to make filing today at the state Capitol. State Rep. Fred Love made it. Chase Busch of Mena has completed his Democratic filing to challenge everyone’s favorite troglodyte, Republican Rep. Nate Bell. And Tyler Pearson of Conway has filed to challenge the leading Senate troglodyte, Jason Rapert.

Pearson, 28, is a UCA graduate and holds a master’s from the Clinton School of Public Service. According to his Facebook page, he’s a graduate consultant at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and has worked as a tutor in Americorps. Sounds like a good resume. But Rapert can find a way to demonize him if need be. He’s in Obama’s party, which is all Rapert needs.

Pearson was featured (4:45) in a PBS News Hour piece on Arkansas’s struggle to continue Medicaid expansion. He’s one of those young, healthy people who signed up for the private option, recognizing the need for basic care that insurance could cover.

Democrat Clea Hupp, a member of the history faculty at UALR, has filed for House District 31, currently held by Republican Rep. Andy Davis, a leader in the legislature in weakening clean water protection.


The Republicans have a third candidate for attorney general. Patricia Nation, who practices in Jacksonville, joins David Sterling and Leslie Rutledge in a primary fight to oppose Demoratic state Rep. Nate Steel.