Crawford Condemns Injunction on Immigration Law in Arizona

JONESBORO – First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford has condemned U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton’s temporary injunction against critical parts of the recently-passed Arizona immigration law.  The law was set to go into effect today.  Crawford also called on the Administration to back down on its lawsuit against the law and promised to push for passage of legislation that will crack down on illegal immigration.

In April, Arizona passed SB 1070.  The most controversial parts of the sweeping law require police officers to “make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested.” The law also makes it a crime to “for an unauthorized alien to solicit, apply for or perform work.”  It is already a violation of Federal law for an employer to knowingly hire or employ an illegal alien.

Crawford says, “The Arizona law is a common sense law.  A police officer should be free to run a background check on anyone he stops for violation of a traffic law. The officer should not be the subject of a Federal lawsuit; he should be applauded for doing good police work.  The Administration should drop its lawsuit.”

This month the Obama Administration, acting through Attorney General Eric Holder, sued Arizona, claiming the Federal government has sole responsibility for addressing immigration issues.  Judge Bolton issued the injunction in response to the Obama Administration’s lawsuit.  The injunction temporarily prevents the above-described sections from going into effect.

“The old joke used to be, ‘we’re from the government and we’re here to help.’  However, now the Obama Administration is telling Arizona, ‘we’re from the government and we’re here to prevent you from helping.’”  Crawford continued, “It is hypocritical for Eric Holder to sue Arizona for dealing with a problem the Obama Administration has failed to address.  The residents of the First District can be sure when I’m elected; I will not duck the tough issues.”

Pawlenty Endorses Rick Crawford

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – Today, Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC endorsed Rick Crawford for Arkansas’ First Congressional District. Rick Crawford shares Governor Pawlenty’s commitment to a limited government and fiscal responsibility.

“I got to know Rick a year ago, and he’s exactly the sort of fresh voice we need in Congress,” Pawlenty said. “We need to stop the out-of-control spending Washington, and that’s exactly what Rick will do.”

In addition to direct support from the PAC, candidates endorsed by the Freedom First PAC benefit from a donation feature that allows supporters to contribute directly to endorsed candidates through TimPawlenty.com.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of a true conservative leader like Governor Pawlenty,” Crawford said. “Governor Pawlenty has shown that if you stick to your fiscally conservative principles, you can govern effectively. That’s what I plan to do in Congress, and that’s why I am honored to receive such an endorsement from him.”

Princella Smith Endorses Rick Crawford

- Seasoned Conservative Endorses Crawford, Cites Need for Real Change -

JONESBORO – Today, First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and small business owner Rick Crawford announced the endorsement of Princella Smith of Wynne.  Smith cited Crawford’s conservative ideals as the basis for her endorsement.

Smith, who also vied for the Republican Congressional nomination this year, got her first cut at politics under former Arkansas Lt. Governor Rockefeller and later worked with Governor Mike Huckabee, U.S. Congressman John Boozman, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and as an aide at the U.S. Department of Labor and on Capitol Hill. She has been a regular political commentator on several national news outlets and serves as a visiting fellow, guest lecturer, and board member for several conservative institutions.

“Rick Crawford understands that Washington cannot continue following the liberal over spending agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama,” said Smith.  “Rick understands the need for job creation and innovation in the First District of Arkansas and will fight for the type of fiscal responsibility that is desperately needed in Congress.”

Smith continued: “Rick’s military background has equipped him with the ability to execute a critical mission under intense pressure, and it has given him an understanding that we must end this administration’s propensity for kicking our allies in the teeth. I look forward to working with Rick as he becomes our next Congressman from the First District of Arkansas.”

“I am grateful and honored to receive this endorsement from Princella,” said Crawford.  “Princella has been active the last several years in traveling across our country to champion the conservative principles missing in Washington, and with her help, I want to apply those principles as a check and balance against this out of control spending agenda being led by Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.”

This is the sixth endorsement by a conservative leader in Arkansas for the Crawford for Congress campaign.  Previous endorsements include Governor Mike Huckabee, Congressmen Asa Hutchinson  Ed Bethune, Nelda Speaks of Mountain Home, and State Representative Davy Carter of Cabot.

More About Rick

After graduation from high school, Rick enlisted in the United States Army where he advanced to the rank of Sergeant in less than three years and earned numerous medals for service in the U.S. and Southwest Asia.  After completing his term of service in the Army, Rick earned a B.A. in Agriculture Business and Economics from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.  Since his graduation, Rick has worked in the agricultural field in both agri-communications and general agri-business.  He now owns and operates the AgWatch Network, a farm news network heard on 39 radio stations in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky as well as TV stations in Little Rock and Jonesboro.  Rick and his wife Stacy live in Jonesboro with their two children.

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Tea Party Straw Poll Results

The Arkansas Tea Party conducted a straw poll April 15th for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House races. I am proud to announce that voters overwhelmingly supported the agenda that I presented by giving me 81 percent of the total vote (complete results are listed below).

There is indeed a growing sentiment that we can no longer ignore our nation’s mounting fiscal crisis, which is $56.5 trillion and growing by roughly $3 trillion each year. With interest on the national debt soon to be the largest single line item in the entire federal budget, we CANNOT afford to put this off any longer.

I appreciate everyone who gave me his or her vote of confidence. I am excited about the gathering momentum that will enable me to join the band of reformers who will be sent to change Washington in November.

Tea Party Straw Poll Results (1st District)

Name                                   Number of Votes                 Percentage

Rick Crawford (R)                       149                                        81%

Princella Smith (R)                      31                                          17%

Tim Woolridge (D)                        3                                             2%

Steve Bryles (D)                             1                                               -

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