U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Congressman Rick Crawford for Re-Election

April 25, 2012 by Crawford for Congress

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Congressman Rick Crawford for Re-Election

Group seeks to keep a pro-business majority in the U.S. House

Jonesboro, Arkansas – First District Congressman Rick Crawford announced today that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed his re-election bid. Crawford’s support for the repeal of President Obama’s healthcare law, votes in favor of free trade agreements and efforts to produce a long-term surface transportation bill earned him the U.S. Chamber endorsement.

“The House of Representatives must continue to be a check on Barack Obama and his failed policies that are making Arkansas’s economy worse. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of fighting job killing regulations and I am honored to have earned their endorsement. As we move forward I will continue working with the Chamber to repeal the Obama takeover of healthcare, break down barriers to trade and advocate for improving our nation’s crumbling infrastructure,” said Crawford.

In a letter to Crawford, Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated, “On behalf of the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, I am pleased to inform you that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has endorsed your candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Donohue continued in the letter, “It is the Chamber’s goal to help elect a pro-business majority in Congress and work diligently in support of the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government. Your record of support on pro-business issues earned this endorsement.”

Crawford Background: Rick Crawford and his wife Stacy are both graduates of Arkansas State University. They live inJonesboro with their two children. Crawford serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Weekly Look Inside the Rick Crawford Campaign

March 19, 2010 by plethadmin

A recent analyzation for The Arkansas Election Line showed Rick Crawford as the frontrunner in the Republican Primary for the First U.S. Congressional District. The report cites Rick’s established campaign effort and strong organization throughout the District as one of the driving forces behind him being the favorite. Click here to read more.

In Washington, D.C., Democrats are attempting to employ what has become known as the “Slaughter Rule,” a strategy designed to keep House Democrats from having to vote on the actual socialized health care bill itself and only vote on an amendment. This has many calling for checks of constitutionality.

“This represents a departure from the Constitution,” said First Congressional District Candidate, Rick Crawford, referencing Article I, Section 7 of the Constution that states for a “Bill” to “become a Law,” it “shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate.” Crawford adds,”Pelosi knows that Americans don’t want this convaluted bill passed and she is attempting to bypass what the nation wants and the Constution purely for political reasons.” Read more about this here.

Another big endorsement for Rick came this week as Baxter County Treasurer Nelda Speaks announced her support for Crawford for Congress. Holding the position of treasurer since 1996, Speaks has proven herself to be keenly in tune with Baxter County residents for over a decade. Speaks was the first Republican woman elected to the office of County Treasurer and has since run unopposed during her tenure further exemplifying the respect she has garnered from voters all across Baxter County.

“I believe that Rick Crawford is the right choice for the people of Baxter County and the First District,” said Speaks. “Rick is a strong conservative who wants to reclaim the virtues in our Constitution and start using them again in Washington. Rick is a small business owner, understands the importance of Agriculture, and has served honorably in our nation’s military. I could not be more honored to support his campaign to be the next Congressman of the First Congressional District.”

Nelda Speaks joins a long list of prominent Arkansas leaders that have endorsed Rick Crawford, including Mike Huckabee, Asa Hutchinson and Ed Bethune. Read more on all who have endorsed Rick here.

Keep up with Rick and the Crawford for Congress campaign all of the time by following us on Twitter and becoming our fan on Facebook!

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Crawford Speaks Out Against “Deem and Pass”

March 19, 2010 by plethadmin

The latest tatics considered by Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies in the U.S. House of Representatives represent a “departure from the Constitution,” according to First District Congressional Candidate, Rick Crawford.

On a day where a Fox News poll shows only 35% of Americans favor the health care reform bill, Pelosi is attempting to use a tactic dubbed “deem and pass” to push through the Senate’s health care reform bill, without having members of Congress actually vote on the bill. FoxNews.com reports this plan is being considered because, “…many House Democrats don’t want to cast a vote in favor of the unaltered Senate bill, which they oppose for numerous reasons.”

“This represents a departure from the Constitution,” said First Congressional District Candidate, Rick Crawford, referencing Article I, Section 7 of the Constution that states for a “Bill” to “become a Law,” it “shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate.” Crawford adds, “Pelosi knows that Americans don’t want this convaluted bill passed and she is attempting to bypass what the nation wants and the Constution purely for political reasons.”

“It is exactly why the first votes I cast when I get to Washington, D.C. will be against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House and to repeal any socialized health care plan,” Crawford added.

Crawford has publically signed The Club For Growth’s “Repeal It!” pledge, a promise stating that, should the socialized health care reform bill pass, the person will fight to repeal it once elected. Over 10,000 citizens have signed to support only candidates that have made this pledge.

“The fact that the liberals in Congress are considering bypassing the Constitution to pass such a huge reform bill should remind every Arkansan in the First District why we must elect a true conservative to put the Washington Democrats in check,” said Crawford.

Prominent Baxter County Elected Official Endorses Crawford

March 17, 2010 by plethadmin

First District Congressional candidate, United States Army veteran, and agri-business owner Rick Crawford announced today the endorsement of another prominent Republican leader in the First Congressional District.

Baxter County Treasurer Nelda Speaks announced her endorsement for Crawford today. Holding the position of treasurer since 1996, Speaks has proven herself to be keenly in tune with Baxter County residents for over a decade. Speaks was the first Republican woman elected to the office of County Treasurer and has since run unopposed during her tenure further exemplifying the respect she has garnered from voters all across Baxter County.

“Nelda’s endorsement means a lot to me,” commented Crawford. “She is a leader and well-respected elected official in Baxter County who has devoted much of her life to public service. Especially considering the economic turmoil the country is in, having the support of someone with so much expertise in business and administration is very important.”

Nelda is a five (5) generation native of Baxter County and these deep roots are one of the many reasons she has such a concern for Baxter County and the First Congressional District. “Having the privilege of serving the people of Baxter County has been one of my greatest honors and I deeply appreciate the confidence they have given me.”

On top of her elected service, Speaks previously owned and operated a private business, Nelda’s Boutique in Mountain Home. She also was previously district treasurer for Norfork schools, treasurer for the General Federation of Women’s Cameo Club in Mountain Home and was even named woman of the year in 1991-92 by the club.

In addition to these accolades, Speaks has had extensive involvement over the years with a variety of groups, from the Twin Lakes Republican Women to the Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Grants Advisory Board.

Nelda Speaks joins a long list of prominent Arkansas leaders that have endorsed Rick Crawford, including Mike Huckabee, Asa Hutchinson and Ed Bethune.

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

March 11, 2010 by plethadmin

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.

Crawford Receives Third Key Endorsement of Campaign

February 2, 2010 by plethadmin

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.

Rick Crawford Statement on Marion Berry Retirement

January 25, 2010 by plethadmin

“I respect Congressman Berry’s decision to retire and applaud his many years of public service. I will continue to run a strong campaign based on creating jobs, reducing the deficit, and representing Arkansas values. We can’t afford Obama’s liberal agenda and I am ready to go to Washington to be a check and balance on the liberal Congress.”