In Senate District 22 there will be a runoff between Representative John Payton (6,275 votes 41%) and incumbent Senator James Sturch (5,353 votes 35.2%) for the Republican nomination to the Senate. The Republican winner will win the seat because there is no Democrat or independent candidate.
During the primary election it seemed like ALL the candidates in all the Republican races claimed they were the conservative choice or had some public celebrity say it for them. So, how do you tell who is telling the truth? IN THE PAYTON v STURCH RACE IT IS EASY. COMPARE THEIR RECORDS!
In the case of Payton and Sturch it is easy tell the difference between them because the best evidence of where they really stand is their extensive voting record in the Arkansas legislature. Sometimes they voted the same way on an issue, but on many important issues they were on opposite sides!
Looking at the differences in how they voted, Payton clearly has the record to prove he is conservative and follows the promises made by the Republican Party of Arkansas made through its platform. Sturch fails time after time.
Before we get into the list, first you need to know each time Payton or Sturch is recorded as “did not vote” they were recorded present. Second, when a legislator doesn’t vote it works against the bill getting a majority vote. Sometimes helping stop a bill is good and sometimes it is bad. It just depends on whether it was a good or bad bill.
We highlighted the conservative votes in GREEN and the anti-conservative votes in RED.
| Legislation | STURCH | PAYTON |
| LEFT WING INDOCTRINATION Ban on the teaching of Critical Race Theory (HB1761 of 2021) | AGAINST
(Only Republican to vote against it in committee) |
FOR |
| LEFT WING INDOCTRINATION Ban on the teaching of Critical Race Theory (SB627 of 2021) | DIDN’T VOTE (which works against the bill) | FOR |
| FACEMASK: To end mandatory face masking (SB590 of 2021) | DIDN’T VOTE (which works against the bill) | FOR |
| TAX INCREASE: Impose the Internet Sales Tax paid by Arkansas consumers (SB576 of 2019) | FOR | DIDN’T VOTE (which worked against the tax) |
| TAX INCREASE: Gas and diesel fuel tax increase (SB336 of 2019) | FOR | AGAINST |
| TAX INCREASE: Permanent 1/2% sales tax for highway and roads when temporary tax expires. Referred to people. A $300 million tax. (HJR2018 of 2019) | FOR | AGAINST |
| TAX INCREASE: Increased taxes/fees on water bills (HB1737 of 2019) | FOR | AGAINST |
| TAX CUT: Teacher tax deduction for school supplies (HB1157 of 2021) | DIDN’T VOTE (which works against the bill) | FOR |
| TAX CUT: Unemployment tax cut for businesses (HB1405 of 2017). | AGAINST | FOR |
| ELECTIONS: Exclude local tax elections in special elections because voter turnout is always low in special elections. (SB723 of 2017) . | WALKED OUT so his vote wouldn’t count. (By walking out Sturch killed the bill which then came up one vote shy of passing.) | FOR |
| SCHOOL CHOICE: Establishes educational scholarships for children of low-income families funded by donations qualifying for a tax credit. (SB680 of 2021) | DIDN’T VOTE (which works against bill) | FOR |
| SCHOOL CHOICE: 4yr pilot project for educational savings accounts for children (HB1222 of 2017) | AGAINST | FOR |
| FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: Let governments avoid FOIA disclosure of public documents by turning the documents over to their attorneys. (SB373 of 2017) | FOR | AGAINST |
Notes:
- Concerning the racist indoctrination of Critical Race Theory, Sturch sent out a campaign mailer which falsely claimed he banned Critical Race Theory. The record shows he voted against banning it.
- The school choice bills had their own funding and would not have touched school funding.
RUNOFF ELECTION Tuesday June 21th! Early voting begins seven days before the elections (Tuesday June 14th).
Left wing organizations encouraged Democrats to vote in the Republican primary. They will be back again in the runoff elections. Don’t let Democrats pick your Republican nominee. Get out and vote!
