TOM COTTON (AR-04) MARCUS RICHMOND (AR-04) BETH ANNE RANKIN (AR-04) JOHN COWART (AR-04)

Top Headlines ............................................................................................ 1 Editorials.................................................................................................... 1 Budget Issues ............................................................................................. 2 Business and Consumer Issues .................................................................. 2 Campaign Finance Issues........................................................................... 2 Crime & Public Safety Issues .................................................................... 3 Economic and Financial Issues .................................................................. 3 Education Issues ........................................................................................ 3 Election 2012 Issues .................................................................................. 4 Energy Issues ............................................................................................. 6 Environmental Issues ................................................................................. 6 Ethics Issues .............................................................................................. 6 Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ................... 6 Gay and Lesbian Issues.............................................................................. 6 Gun Issues ................................................................................................. 6 Health Care Issues ..................................................................................... 7 Immigration and Border Issues .................................................................. 8 Israel .......................................................................................................... 8 Other Social Issues .................................................................................... 8 Personal Finance ........................................................................................ 8 Senior Issues ............................................................................................ 10 Tax Issues ................................................................................................ 10 Tea Party .................................................................................................. 10 Transportation Issues ............................................................................... 10 Womens Issues ....................................................................................... 11

Top Headlines Editorials

Budget Issues
Cotton Supported Cuts to Several Federal Programs In January 2012, Cotton said via twitter that he supported cuts to Commerce, Energy (all but nuke security, basic research), Amtrak, NPR". In addition, he said supported a , Also, return discretionary spending to '08 levels & block-grant to states Medicaid, disability, SCHIP, food stampsAnd reduce work force by 20% by returning to 2008 levels."
[El Dorado News-Times, 1/19/12]

Business and Consumer Issues Campaign Finance Issues

Cotton Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Cotton for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Cotton raised $343,029.20 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $331,326.55 cash on hand and spent $11,702.65. Cotton received $8,000.00 from PACs. [Cotton for Congress, filed 10/13/11] Contributions of Note: Received $1,000 from Cecile H. Bledsoe. In August 2011, Cotton received $1000 from the Senatorial campaign of Bledsoe. Received $250 from US Senator Rob Portman. In September 2011, Cotton received $250 from Ohio Senator Rob Portman. Expenditures of Note: Paid $154.20 to Avis Cotton. In September 2011, Cotton paid $154.20 in campaign funds to Avis Cotton.

Richmond Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Marcus Richmond for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Richmond raised $18,092.43 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $13,916.94 cash on hand and spent $4,175.49. Richmond raised $1800 from three contributors, personally contributed $7,959.43 to his own campaign and has loaned himself $7,435.00 for the campaign. [Marcus Richmond for Congress, filed 10/13/11]

Rankin Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Beth Anne Rankin for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Rankin raised $175,957.85 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $163,331.32 cash on hand and spent $16,495.22. Rankin received $0 from PACs. [Beth Anne Rankin for Congress, filed 10/15/11] Contributions of Note: Received $5,000 from Dr. David Rankin. In September 2011, Beth Anne Rankin received $5,000 from Dr. David Rankin. Received $5,000 from Toni Rankin. In September 2011, Beth Anne Rankin received $5,000 from Toni Rankin.

Crime & Public Safety Issues Economic and Financial Issues

Cotton Was Said to be Conservative on Tax and Spending Issues In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton was conservative on tax and spending issues. According to the City Wire, Cotton clearly is conservative on tax and spending issues. He would not have voted for the debt-ceiling deal, saying instead that Congress should have passed the more conservative bill that would have cut spending and pushed a balanced budget amendment. All Republicans in Arkansas Congressional delegation voted for the debt ceiling deal. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Said Number One Issue is the Economy In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton is pro-life and pro-second amendment. Additionally, the City Wire said he said the top issue in the race is the economy. According to the City Wire, Cotton, who is pro-life, pro-second amendment and a self-professed strong national security conservative," says the top issue in the race is the economy. As Ive been doing this (traveling in the district), the economy and the weakness is at the top of the list, Cotton said. [The City Wire 8/22/2011]

Education Issues
Cotton Wrote Column Critical of the Internet as a Teaching Tool

In September 2011, it was revealed that Cotton wrote a column in 1998 criticized the internet as a teaching tool. In 1998, Cotton suggested that the internet was useful only for check[ing] the weather, the news, the stock market and so on very quickly. But, "Despite blather about the 'information superhighway' in popular culture, connecting classrooms and libraries to the Internet is a horrible idea none of this helps educate children." In September 2011, Cotton claimed to have matured in his views of the internet, saying that the Internet has matured thanks to 13 years of free market and entrepreneurial innovation and it's now a vital tool for education and daily life unlike 1998. [Associated Press, 9/1/11]

Election 2012 Issues

Governor Mike Huckabee announced his endorsement of Beth Anne Rankin In January 2012, Rankin was endorsed by Governor Mike Huckabee. Rankin said: It is a tremendous honor to have the endorsement of Governor Mike Huckabee. The governor gave me a wonderful opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas by working in the Governors Office for seven years, including serving as the policy advisor to the National Governors Association, Capitol Hill and the White House, as well as serving as the Coordinator for the Governors Summit on Economic Development. I am grateful for the experience of having served with one of Americas most respected and trusted conservative leaders, and it is a tremendous honor to have his personal support. Having served as his policy advisor to Capitol Hill, I am thrilled to have Gov. Huckabees expression of confidence in my ability to be a voice of leadership in the halls of Congress and to represent the values of the great people of the Fourth District of Arkansas. [Rankin for Congress Press Release, 1/18/12] Cotton Made Early Noise in 4th District Race In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Tom Cotton, who is trying to receive the GOP nomination for the 4th district seat, was standing out so far in the primary. According to The City Wire, The lanky 34-year-old lawyer and soldier from Dardanelle considers President Abraham Lincoln his beau ideal of a statesman a phrase Lincoln once attached to Henry Clay, Cotton noted. [] he was born and raised in Dardanelle where he helped with the work on his familys cattle farm. The Yell County native graduated with honors from Harvard College yes, THE Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He was moving up in the legal world when Sept. 11 happened [] He joined the U.S. Army, deployed to Baghdad as an Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne []Military citations and accomplishments earned by Cotton include the Bronze Star, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal. He was hired by the global consulting company McKinsey & Company after ending his active duty U.S. Army career. There he consulted with companies involved in agribusiness, health care, oil and gas, food processing, insurance and aerospace. He left the company when he decided to seek the 4th District seat. [The City Wire 8/22/2011]

Cotton Made the NRCC On the Radar List In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton made the NRCC On the Radar list. According to the City Wire, Cotton is already standing out in GOP circles. He was the first Republican to enter the 4th District race and has caught the eye of the National Republican Congressional Committee. On Aug. 18, Cotton landed on the NRCC On the Radar list because he has raised $100,000. Cotton is one of only six Republicans in the their Young Guns program to make this list for 2012. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Criticized Republican Leadership In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton criticized Republican leadership. According to the City Wire, Cotton criticized the House Republican leadership, saying it was unwise to have secret negotiations with the White House and Congressional Democrats []If elected, Cottons criticism of GOP leadership may not wane. He said he will not be a Representative on which the Republicans can always count on to vote for the party plan. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Wrote Column Critical of the Internet as a Teaching Tool In September 2011, it was revealed that Cotton wrote a column in 1998 criticized the internet as a teaching tool. In 1998, Cotton suggested that the internet was useful only for check[ing] the weather, the news, the stock market and so on very quickly. But, "Despite blather about the 'information superhighway' in popular culture, connecting classrooms and libraries to the Internet is a horrible idea none of this helps educate children." In September 2011, Cotton claimed to have matured in his views of the internet, saying that the Internet has matured thanks to 13 years of free market and entrepreneurial innovation and it's now a vital tool for education and daily life unlike 1998. [Associated Press, 9/1/11] Richmond Announced Run for Congress In August 2011, Marcus Richmond announced his run for Congress in AR-04. Marcus Richmond, a businessman and veteran from Scott County, tells Talk Business & Politics that he plans to enter the race as a Republican candidate. I made up my mind today that I will run for the House Seat in the 4th Congressional District. So now I must do the song and dance to make it official, Richmond said by e-mail. I will run on the Republican ticket. I already have company on the GOP ticket but I believe I am the right person at this time. I'm sure all candidates feel the same. So why am I the better choice? I have no interest in becoming a career politician. Politics is not a lifelong ambition. Therefore, I will work for the people of my district first and foremost not the party or special interest, he wrote []Richmond, who lives in Harvey, Arkansas in Scott County near Waldron, is a former Marine officer and owns two businesses, according to files on record. He is listed as business owner of America's
5

Pet Registry, Inc., which registers designer dogs, and Old World Brick Oven Pizza, which also does business as Simple Simon Pizza of Waldron. [Talkbusiness.net, 8/11/2011] Richmond Said He Will Not Work for Special Interest or the Republican Party In August 2011, Marcus Richmond said he will not work for special interests or the Republican Party. According to Talk Business, Richmond said I will run on the Republican ticket. I already have company on the GOP ticket but I believe I am the right person at this time. I'm sure all candidates feel the same. So why am I the better choice? I have no interest in becoming a career politician. Politics is not a lifelong ambition. Therefore, I will work for the people of my district first and foremost not the party or special interest, he wrote. If we are going to extract ourselves from this economic tsunami, we must make some hard choices. You can bet the opposition, special interest and concerns for reelection will dictate much of the discussion. Not me. Because I am not worried about my political future I will stand up for what is right for the people of the 4th District. No sacred cows, no special interest, Richmond added. [Talkbusiness.net, 8/11/2011] Rankin Announced Run For Congress In August 2011, Beth Anne Rankin discussed her plans of when and where to announce if she is running the Arkansass fourth congressional seat. Todays THV reported, Beth Anne Rankin of Magnolia says she'll announce her plans Monday at stops in Hot Springs, Texarkana, Magnolia and El Dorado. Rankin spent seven years as a policy adviser to former Gov. Mike Huckabee and is now vice president of Rankin Land and Timber. [Todays THV,
8/29/11]

Energy Issues Environmental Issues Ethics Issues Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea
Richmond Open to Closing Foreign Bases In January 2012, Richmond when asked if he was open to closing foreign bases via Twitter said, our defense policy & $'s must address real & potential threats & bases that don't directly support shld be closed." [El Dorado News-Times, 1/19/12]

Gay and Lesbian Issues Gun Issues

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Cotton Is Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton is pro-life and pro-second amendment. Additionally, the City Wire said he said the top issue in the race is the economy. According to the City Wire, Cotton, who is pro-life, pro-second amendment and a self-professed strong national security conservative," says the top issue in the race is the economy. As Ive been doing this (traveling in the district), the economy and the weakness is at the top of the list, Cotton said. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Supported Gun Rights In November 2011, Cotton said I will always fight outrageous United Nations efforts to undermine Americans Second Amendment rights. [Arkansas News Bureau, 11/20/11] Rankin Announced She Had Obtained Concealed Handgun Carry License In November 2011, Rankin announced that she had obtained an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license. I understand the awesome responsibility of carrying a concealed handgun. It is a tool to be used only in a life-or-death situation. [] It is better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it.
[Rankin for Congress, 11/15/11]

Rankin called herself a proud gun owner and stated, The government will never disarm the 4th District of Arkansas. [Arkansas News Bureau, 11/20/11]

Health Care Issues

Cotton Supported Repeal of Affordable Care Act In November 2011, Cotton was the special guest speaker at the Southeast Arkansas Tea Party and said he wanted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. [Monticello News, 11/23/11] Richmond Opposed Affordable Care Act, Called it Beginning of End for Limited Government In December 2011, Richmond criticized the Affordable Care Act and said it would start the beginning of the end of limited government in America. Obamacare moves the culture of America so far to the left, Richmond said, that future conservatives will have to battle so much of this that we may never again have limited, constitutional government. [City
Wire, 12/6/11]

Immigration and Border Issues

Cotton Supported Border Fence and More Border Agents, Opposed to Amnesty In November 2011, Cotton was the special guest speaker at the Southeast Arkansas Tea Party and said he supported closing the borders with a fence and increasing the number of well-equipped and well-trained border agents. Cotton also said he was opposed to amnesty and earned paths to citizenship. He also said he would not support free government benefits, tuition, and medical care to illegal immigrants. [Monticello News,
11/23/11]

Israel Other Social Issues

AR-04: Cotton Supported Increasing Young People Working in the Field In December 2011, the Huffington Post reported that Cotton supported an increase in young people working in the fields. Tom Cotton, a GOP candidate for Congress, says he would like to see more children working long hours out in America's agricultural fields. The Republican from Arkansas' fourth district apparently isn't a big fan of child-labor laws pertaining to farms. "We need more young people who've worked all day in the fields, not less," the Army reservist and Harvard grad fumed in a recent post on his 2012 campaign website (his italics). "It's time to tell Washington to get off our land." [Huffington Post, 12/9/11]

Personal Finance
Rankin Filed 2011 Financial Disclosure In 2011, Rankin reported earnings of at least $10,847.77 for calendar year 2011 (to August 29th). Rankin held assets valued at between $62,000 and $280,000. Rankin reported no liabilities. In 2011, Rankin received $10,000 in compensation from Beth Anne Productions, Inc. Under unearned income, Rankin reported that the majority of her assets come from a number of different investments. Rankins largest investment is in Beth Anne Productions, Inc., which is valued at between $50,000 and $100,000. In 2011, her assets were worth between $62,000 and $280,000. Rankin reported no liabilities.

Rankin reported that she was vice president of Rankin Land and Timber Company, Inc., president of Beth Anne Productions, Inc., and board members of the Arkansas music teachers association and Magnolia Arts. [Beth Anne Rankin Financial Disclosure, Filed 8/29/11] Cotton Filed 2011 Financial Disclosure In 2011, Tom Cotton reported earnings of at least $149,845 for the preceding year, 2010. Cotton holds assets valued between $151,000 - $365,000. Cotton reported no current liabilities. Earned Income

From January November 2011, Cotton earned $76,086 from McKinley and Co and $1,000 from the Hudson Institute. In 2010, Cotton earned $149,845 from McKinsey and Company in New York, Policy Communications and the Hudson Institute.

Unearned Income

In 2011, Cotton had $100,000-$250,000 in a Bank of America account, $1,000-$15,000 in a Liberty Bank account and $50,000-$100,000 in a McKinsey retirement account. He earned minimal dividends from these accounts.

Liabilities

In 2011, Cotton reported no liabilities.

Other Notes

Cotton received compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by McKinsey and Co in New York, NY. He notes that McKinsey serves clients pursuant to a standard confidentiality agreement and that he signed a non-disclosure agreement upon leaving. He attached the referenced non-disclosure certification that is signed on July 29, 2011. Note: The personal financial disclosure requires candidates to report sources of such compensation receive by you and your business affiliation for services provided directly by you during the two prior years. This includes the Names of clients and customers of any corporation, firm partnership or other business enterprise or any nonprofit organization if you directly provided the services generating a fee or payment of more than $5,000. Exclude: Payments by the U.S. Government and any information considered confidential as a result of a privileged relationship recognized by law. [Cotton 2011 PFD 12/1/11]

Richmond Filed 2011 Financial Disclosure In 2011, Richmond reported earnings of at least $136,923 for calendar year 2011 (to October 15th). Richmond held assets valued at between $2,417,000 and $10,930,000. Richmond reported liabilities between $250,00 and $500,000.

In 2011, Richmond received $136,923 in compensation from Americas Pet Registry. Under unearned income, Richmond reported that the majority of his assets are from Americas Pet Registry, which are worth between $2,000,000 and $10,000,000. Richmond reported that his spouse holds half of these assets. He received no income from them in 2011, but in 2010 his unearned income from Americas Pet Registry totaled between $200,000 and $2,000,000. He holds other large assets with BO Knows Pizza and a Farm. In 2011, his assets were worth between $2,417,000 and $10,930,000. Richmond reported a mortgage on his farm between $250,000 and $500,000. Richmond reported that he was co-owner and CEO of Americas Pet Registry and owner of BO Knows Pizza. He was a board member of the Arkansas Federation of Animal Owners. [Marcus Richmond Financial
Disclosure, Filed 10/15/11]

Senior Issues Tax Issues Tea Party

Cotton Praised Tea Party as Greatest Development to Republican Party In November 2011, Cotton was the special guest speaker at the Southeast Arkansas Tea Party and he said the Tea Party was the best thing that happened to the Republican Party since anti-tax revolts of the late 1970s. Cotton said, It is a group of engaged citizens who see their country careening off in the wrong direction. They have been a positive for this country and it is healthy for the TEA Party to be an autonomous group. [Monticello News, 11/23/11] Rankin Joined Republican Young Guns Program In September 2011, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) said of Rankin, We look forward to working with Beth Anne Rankin, who has already proven herself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the Young Guns program that will position her campaign for victory. [] Beth Anne Rankins dedication and experience enables her to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama-Pelosi record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Arkansas families and small businesses know has failed. [Talk Business, 9/28/11] Cotton Joined Republican Young Guns Program In August 2011, Cotton was added to the list of participants in the Republican Young Guns program.
[Talk Business, 9/28/11]

Transportation Issues
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Womens Issues

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