Crawford wins First District in GOP straw poll

First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford is pleased to announce a victory in a key state poll of Republican candidates.

The Arkansas Federation of College Republicans held its 2010 straw poll in Little Rock this weekend, allowing future state and national leaders to voice their view of who will be the most trusted voices in both state and federal races.  Students heard speeches from candidates in attendance and voted on each race once the speeches concluded.

Rick Crawford won the straw poll for the First Congressional District over his opponent Princella Smith. “I am honored that the delegates to the Arkansas Federation of College Republicans would vote for my campaign of traditional American values.  These future leaders in Arkansas and Washington understand the critical issues facing our nation and to have their vote is a vote of confidence for my campaign,” said Crawford.

See all of the results here (external link).

The Arkansas Federation of College Republicans held its yearly convention in Little Rock over the weekend.  Student leaders from all across the state attended the straw poll with students representing Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas, and several others.

The AFCR is dedicated to conservative principles and electing Republicans across the state of Arkansas.  Their Facebook page lists one of their primary goals as making the Republican Party competitive in all 4 districts from Fayetteville to Forrest City.

Rick Crawford Acknowledges, Congratulates “The Hurt Locker” Oscar Win

Rick Crawford, a former Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, congratulates the team behind Oscar winning film The Hurt Locker.

The military veteran of the same field highlighted in the 2010 Academy Award-winning film is seeking to continue his service to the country by running for Congress in Arkansas.

Crawford, a former Army Sergeant, served as an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) technician years before seeking the U.S. Congressional seat in the First District of Arkansas. He disarmed explosives for the Army both domestically and overseas.

Sergeant Crawford’s overseas deployment was in Southwest Asia, during the 1980′s Soviet conflict in Afghanistan, long prior to the conflict in Iraq that inspired the Oscar-winning film.
“I’m glad to see the efforts of EOD techs and other soldiers overseas being recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said Rick. “While Hollywood takes certain creative freedoms, the movie helps people back at home get an idea of the service and sacrifice involved in ordnance disposal. I congratulate the filmmakers involved with the project on its success.”

First released in 2008 and in the United States in 2009, The Hurt Locker highlights EOD operations following the 2004 invasion of Iraq. The emotional and suspenseful movie demonstrates the level of bravery and courage along with the calm nerves needed to disarm explosives in a war zone. The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.

Rick Crawford is a second generation military veteran who’s father served before him in the United States Air Force. After extensive travel at home and abroad, Crawford later settled down in Jonesboro, Arkansas to create his broadcasting business, FarmHouse Media, which provides agriculture news to 45 stations across 5 states and is launching a new all-sports FM talk radio station in the Jonesboro market. He has been endorsed by many notable Arkansans including Governor Mike Huckabee, former Congressman Ed Bethune, and former Congressman Asa Hutchinson.

Rick officially announced his intentions to unseat the seven-term incumbent Democrat Congressman Marion Berry in May, 2009.

Pictures from the Campaign Headquarters Open House

To see more pictures from the grand opening today, go to our Facebook page.

Crawford Receives Third Key Endorsement of Campaign

JONESBORO – First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford announced the endorsement today of former D.E.A. Director, D.H.S. head, and three-time United States Congressman Asa Hutchinson.  Hutchinson, who currently resides in northwest Arkansas, is another significant endorsement for the Crawford for Congress Campaign.  

“I am certain that Rick Crawford is the person to represent the first congressional district of Arkansas in the House,” said Hutchinson. “Rick is going to be a common sense legislator who understands the farm economy and values of Eastern Arkansas.  I know Rick will work hard to control federal spending, reduce our national debt and promote job growth that will benefit Eastern Arkansas” said Hutchinson.  “I am honored to wholeheartedly endorse Rick because he knows what it takes to put our country on the right track for our children’s future.”

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in western Arkansas as a U.S. attorney, Hutchinson went on to serve three terms in the House of Representatives before becoming head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2001.  Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Hutchinson was tapped to be the head of the Border and Transportation Security Directorate, the largest branch of the Department of Homeland Security.

“I am deeply honored to have the endorsement of Asa Hutchinson,” said Crawford.  “Asa has been a leader in Arkansas during his time as a Congressman and has helped protect our nation as he led both the DEA and DHS.  Asa has been a trusted conservative voice and has fought for Arkansans as he worked to cut taxes, reduce the size of our federal government, and preserve the integrity of our free market economy.”

“This is an unprecedented time in both the state of Arkansas and our country as a whole. Voters are fed up with the elitist decisions being made in the House of Representatives by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats that have put her into power. Rick represents a core principle by which our nation was founded – that of checks and balances in our government,” discussed Hutchinson.  “Rick has fought for our freedoms while serving in our nation’s military and now will fight for our nation while serving in Congress,” said Hutchinson.

This is the third endorsement this year of an elected official in Arkansas for the Crawford for Congress campaign that includes Governor Mike Huckabee, former Congressman Ed Bethune, and Congressman Asa Hutchinson.

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