(Fort Smith) – In Fort Smith today, Governor Mike Beebe received the endorsement of 73 of Arkansas’s 75 sheriffs, supporting his bid for a second term as governor, an unprecedented show of confidence.
“I am honored to have the support of so many of Arkansas’s top law-enforcement officials,” Beebe said. “The needs of law enforcement and the criminal-justice system in our State are of paramount importance to me, and I am proud of the vital role they have played in protecting Arkansans.”
Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder introduced Governor Beebe, praising his work with law enforcement during his time as Governor, and before that as State Senator and Attorney General, by providing needed resources to counties in the wake of natural disasters and ensuring that county jails received funding, even during tough economic times.
“I stand here today to announce that 73 Arkansas sheriffs believe Mike Beebe is the best choice to be Governor of Arkansas,” Helder said as he introduced Beebe. Quoting the sheriffs’ endorsement letter, he said, “Tough times call for tough leaders. Mike Beebe has proven to be a strong leader in supporting Arkansas law enforcement.”
In 2006, Governor Beebe received the support of 68 sheriffs. At the time, political columnist John Brummett hailed the endorsement as “…the biggest recent development in the governor’s race…if it were easy, routine or meaningless to get 68 county sheriffs to endorse you, several candidates would have done it by now. And none had until last week.”
