Wood Touts GOP Gains, Urges To Stay Active

RISON - Joseph Wood, the new chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, reflected on the progress the GOP has made in the state over the past 15 years and urged local supporters of the party to do their part this year to help the Republicans maintain their super-majorities in the legislature as well as keep the state's six federal seats within the party.Wood was the keynote speaker for a dinner hosted by the Cleveland County Republican Committee Saturday night at Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison called a "Meet, Greet and Eat" event.Both of the county's Republican state representatives, District 93 Rep. Mike Holcomb of Jefferson County and District 96 Rep. Sonia Eubanks Barker of Smackover, were in attendance. The county's other legislative representative, District 1 State Sen. Ben Gilmore of Crossett, was unable to attend due to a funeral, according to event organizers.Other officials attending included County Judge Jimmy Cummings and Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, who served as the emcee for the event.Wood reflected on the political transition that has taken in place in Arkansas over the past 20 years.He recalled when he went up against Doyle Webb for the state chairmanship of the GOP 15 years ago that Arkansas was "deep blue" then with the Democratic party having majorities in both legislative houses as well as with the state constitutional offices. Webb ended up being elected to the position.Webb, along with his wife, Barbara Webb, who is running for Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice, were in attendance Saturday night.Under Webb's leadership, Wood said Arkansas slowly transitioned into the Republican stronghold it is today with the GOP controlling the state legislature, all the state constitutional offices, all four congressional districts and both U.S. Senate seats."Everybody around the country is trying to replicate what is going on in Arkansas," Wood told an audience of about 80 people.Aba...