Polk County Republican Nate Bell, a poultry farmer and construction business owner in Mena, confirms he’s planning a run for the Arkansas House of Representatives in District 22. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Bill Abernathy, who is term-limited. Bell will be making his formal announcement Saturday at the Polk County Lincoln Day Dinner. (Typo in original item identified this as the District 21 seat — since corrected.)
UPDATE: Text of Bell’s full news release announcing his candidacy at the jump.
Nate Bell of rural Polk County announced Saturday that he will be running for the Republican nomination for District 22 State Representative. The district includes all of Polk County and a significant portion of Montgomery County.
In his announcement speech Bell stated, “When I was a little boy my mother taught me that complaining about a problem without taking action to correct it only serves to enlarge the problem. That’s one of the reasons I am running for Arkansas House of Representatives in the 2010 general election. It’s time to become part of the solution!
“I’m running because it’s time to put a working person in the House who understands firsthand the struggles of our businesses and farmers.”
Bell and his wife operate a broiler farm contracted with Tyson Foods along with Quad B Specialties, LLC. Quad B Specialties, LLC constructs storm resistant housing in multiple states. Nate and Phyllis have two daughters who attend Mena schools.
When asked why he chose to run on the Republican ticket he said, “The Democrat Party of today isn’t the party of FDR or Harry Truman. Those guys would vote Republican today if they saw the deficit spending, anti-gun agenda, and the total destruction of rural American values that today’s Democrats are forcing on us. I believe the Republican Party reflects the views and values of the everyday Arkansan.
“It’s time we elect representatives who support these views and values.”
The Republican primary will be held May 23, 2010. Nate is currently unopposed for the nomination.
Comments