Arkansas governor asks for lieutenant governor's resignation
Washington (CNN) – Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, has asked Republican Lieutenant Gov. Mark Darr, the state's second in command, to resign over campaign finance impropriety.
Beebe called Darr on Tuesday to ask for his resignation, according to a spokesman for Beebe, after an Arkansas ethics commission ruled that Darr had broken 11 campaign finance laws since 2010.
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After the call, though, Amber Pool, a spokeswoman for Darr, said the lieutenant governor had no intention of stepping down.
In the wake of the ethics ruling, Darr admitted he erred on campaign finance filings, signed a letter from the ethics commission that admitted guilt, and agreed to pay $11,000 in fines.
Beebe's resignation call only holds symbolic weight. The popular governor has no authority to force Darr out because both are independent constitutional officers for the state of Arkansas. According to the governor’s spokesman, Matt DeCample, only the state legislature can force Darr to resign.
After the call with Beebe, Darr attempted to move past the call for his resignation in a statement to CNN.
"The mistakes I made have been well documented," he said. "My focus now is on making things right with the people of Arkansas."
Darr was elected lieutenant governor in 2010, defeating Democrat state Senator Shane Broadway.
In August, he declared his intention to run for the open U.S. House seat in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District that's currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Cotton, who's decided to challenge Democrat Mark Pryor for his U.S. Senate seat.
Shortly after his announcement, however, local media began to report improper spending by Darr's 2010 campaign. Because of these questions over campaign finances, Darr called off his congressional campaign less than a month after declaring.
Term-limited, Beebe cannot run for another term in the 2014 gubernatorial race.
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You knew these activities to be illegal, got caught and fined. Time to man up and resign. Of course he won't do that because he's put it behind him.
Snooki Palin quit before the axe fell on her for cheating Alaskans. This guy just "won't go". We'll see about that.
Dems get caught, are ashamed and quit. Republicans get caught, and 'stick to their principles' and refuse.
Some pretty sick principles if you ask me.
Who do Republicans have such a difficult time with basic accounting and simple math?
He isn't a career politician, this is his first political office and made mistakes. Once identified, he owned up to them, period. Some are ridiculous. To save the state money, he didn't take a state car, but now is getting fined for getting reimbursed for mileage on his personal vehicle. Regardless, Beebe is a hack who hated that a Republican became Lt. Gov. Darr has done more for government transparency than anyone and Arkansas now gets an A grade in that area.
IOKIYAR
(It's Okay If You're A Republican)
That's partly political and we all know it.
The Dems do that same stuff all the time and get away with it.
Republican, broke the law, got caught, said to resignation NO. What's new?
I don't know enough to comment and don't care enough to find out!
Happy New Year!!!
Campaign Finance Laws? I thought all was fair in love and war. Why haven't heard about this in the National News?
$11K is chump change compared to the money, perks, pension etc. he can roll in if he stays. Doesn't this just encourage corrupt politicians to stay on the government dole forever rather than finally going out to get a real job? I mean, isn't that what they say about the long-term unemployed? The people of Arkansas would be doing him a favor to cut off his benefits.
A rising start on the republican party!
Never met Darr , but I've known Mike for years ...nice reasonable guy , damned good lawyer , talented politician ...he will maneuver the resignation BEFORE the next legislative session.
Crook needs to resign. but when your morals go so does your ethics. Unethical Republicans are typically reelected by the same unethical voters. Should be in jail, not in office. Same goes for other Republican controlled states (i.e.Florida Governor.)
Republicans and their blood money are not easily separated.
He's a Republican, so he gets to stay in office until his gay affair comes to light.
How Republican of him. "RANGEL cheated. RANGEL lied. RANGEL got caught. RANGEL told you, 'I'm sorry.' I will not resign. I will not talk about this subject anymore because I've put it behind me, and so should you." Did I miss anything?
How Rangel of him.
RANGEL needs to resign. but when your morals go so does your ethics. Unethical DEMOCRATS are typically reelected by the same unethical voters. Should be in jail, not in office. Same goes for other DEMOCRATIC controlled states (i.e. N.Y Congressman.)
Democrats are notorious for throwing mud and hoping something sticks while at the same time defending real corruption like Obama with his Solyndra, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Obamacare fiasco, NSA spying on Americans, IRS targeting political enemies etc.
charles rangel anyone
@ Dominican mama 4 Obama
"I don't know enough to comment and don't care enough to find out!"
Ah, come on now. Aren't you interested in playing back and forth insults?
However did we get led into this ... I'll never understand. Willingly, I suppose.
I think at one time it was politics, but its been so long ago, I've forgotten.
Now? Not so much much politics anymore as it is ... well, whatever.
This is like when Clinton quit... right? Dems do the right thing, right? Like this guy should do?
Loling at the hypocrisy...
kevin
How Republican of him. "RANGEL cheated. RANGEL lied. RANGEL got caught. RANGEL told you, 'I'm sorry.' I will not resign. I will not talk about this subject anymore because I've put it behind me, and so should you." Did I miss anything?
How Rangel of him.
-----------------------------------------------------Not sure if you are admitting (in your own m0r0nic fashion) that you cannot defend darr so you have try (in your own m0r0nic way) and spin away from the subject of this particular article or if you are just a m0r0n. Either way you sound pathetically like a --- M0r0n.... Oh and what you're missing is a brain..
Wow, republican needs to resign, democrat (Rangle) lies, cheats and steals and is proclaimed a hero
'kevin' – a right/wrong wing nut job who apparently doesn't have the intellectual ability to stay on the topic of this thread. He must be one of those – the only good defense is an offense... m0r0ns. Just can't get m0r0n out of my mind when thinking of kevin.... that and whiner....