Republican Platform Hero
Rep. Cameron Cooper (R-Romance) is running for re-election to the Arkansas State House of Representatives. Rep. Cooper was first elected to Little Rock as a State Representative in 2018. Rep. Cooper has drawn a primary opponent from Andy Pennington (R-Conway).
What should the voters of Arkansas expect if Rep. Cooper is re-elected? The best way to know this is to look at his voting record. Rep. Cooper has been a top Conservative while serving in Little Rock based on his voting record and legislation filed. He has been at or near the top of Conservative legislative scorecards, including being a Conduit Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom winner in 2023 (#11 representative overall) and 2025 (#7 overall).
We hope the reader finds this information helpful in comparing the principles espoused in the Arkansas Republican Platform to the voting record of Rep. Cooper. The Arkansas Republican Platform was updated at the 2024 Republican State Convention and can be found HERE.i
(You may check our work recited below by going to the home page of the Arkansas Legislature: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Search )
Taxes / Spending
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Lower taxes to produce economic growth”
- RPA Platform: “We recognize the importance of lower taxes to preserve economic freedom, spur economic growth, and to ensure that individuals reap more of the benefits of their hard work.”
- RPA Platform: “In order to continue moving forward in our economic growth, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
- RPA Platform: “We strongly believe Arkansans are best able to spend the money they earn and deserve to be free from the hassle of burdensome taxes and fees.”
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted for Income Tax Cuts – SB211 of 2019
- Voted for unemployment tax cut for employers – SB298 of 2019
- Voted against the gas tax increase – SB336 of 2019
- Voted against the Internet Tax 2.0 – SB576 of 2019
- Voted for the homestead property tax credit increase for property owners – HB1321 of 2019
- Voted to cut sales tax on used vehicles – HB1342 of 2019
- Voted against increasing water bill fees – HB1737 of 2019
- Voted to increase tax deductions for teacher expenses – HB1157 of 2021
- Voted to further cut sales tax on used vehicles – HB1160 of 2021
- Voted for no taxes on pandemic PPP loans or other COVID19 relief funds – HB1361 of 2021
- Voted for sales tax exemption for coins, currency, and bullion – SB336 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit local income taxes – HB1026 of 2023
- Voted to cut property taxes on primary residences – HB1032 of 2023
- Voted to increase tax deduction for teacher classroom expenses – HB1345 of 2023
- Voted for income tax cuts ($124 million annually) – SB549 of 2023
- Voted to cut property taxes on primary residences – HB1534 of 2025
- Voted to phase out sales tax on soda – HB1636 of 2025
- Voted for the elimination of the remaining state sales tax on groceries – HB1685 of 2025
- Voted to prevent levying of taxes on a person who already decided they do not owe the tax – HB1716 of 2025
Education
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: Every opportunity for every family to enroll each child in the school of his/her choice should be secured by government and offered to Arkansas families.
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted for school choice scholarships – HB1371 of 2021
- Voted for tax credit scholarships school choice programs – SB680 of 2021
- Voted for school choice and education freedom accounts (LEARNS Act) – SB294 of 2023
- Voted for transparency in government teaching & parental rights in children’s education – HB1684 of 2025
- Voted for transparency in government schools – HB1806 of 2025
Welfare / Government Dependency
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Individual responsibility and initiative”
- RPA Platform: “Our primary belief for a strong economy for our state is this: PEOPLE CREATE BUSINESSES; BUSINESSES CREATE JOBS; GOVERNMENT DOES NOT!”
- RPA Platform: “. . . strong belief in being individually responsible for his/her place in society and our compassion by helping our neighbors obtain and secure the rewards of hard work to provide for themselves, their families and those unable to care for themselves.
- RPA Platform: “We are created equally with Individual freedoms and liberties that, through our own exercise of individual responsibility and initiative, can result in great outcomes independent of government.”
- RPA Platform: “We are against Socialism, Communism, and Marxism and the inevitable decline and poverty each has caused in the world. Individual initiative and choice, rather than governmental control, is the key to the success of a free market.”
In 2024, the State Convention of the Arkansas Republican Party specifically removed from the Republican Party platform references to support government corporate welfare programs commonly referred to as “economic development” incentives or efforts.
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted for promoting work in the food stamps program – HB1512 of 2021
- Voted for child support cooperation in public housing benefits program – HB1642 of 2021
- Voted to index unemployment benefits to economic conditions – HB1676 of 2021
- Voted to prevent fraud in unemployment insurance benefits – HB1765 of 2021
- Voted for housing welfare reform to reduce dependency – HB1196 of 2023
- Voted for cash welfare reform for able-bodied adults to reduce dependency – HB1401 of 2023
- Voted to prevent local government basic universal income programs – HB1681 of 2023
- Voted to stop fraudsters in unemployment insurance claims – HB1840 of 2023
- Voted against increasing food stamps eligibility – SB306 of 2023
- Voted to require welfare recipients to upload resumes and search for work – HB1582 of 2025
- Voted against the expansion of welfare benefits eligibility to non-poor people with large assets – HB1915 of 2025
- Voted to prohibit food stamps for candy/soda – SB217 of 2025
- Voted against repealing the reporting of foreign government economic development offices – SB388 of 2025
- Voted against new socialism/corporate welfare districts – SJR15 of 2025
Freedom / Regulation
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”
- RPA Platform: “We support Arkansans’ rights to use their land in the way they see fit, including the use of diverse production methods and technologies free from burdensome federal regulations.”
- RPA Platform: “In order to continue moving forward in our economic growth, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
- RPA Platform: “Without the personal right to own private property, individual rights are diminished.”
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted for civil asset forfeiture reform – SB308 of 2019
- Voted against new regulations on tobacco products and e-cigarettes, and increasing the smoking age to 21 – HB1565 of 2019
- Voted against a new healthcare council to lobby legislators – HB1568 of 2019
- Voted for lease restrictive licensing requirements – HB1255 of 2019
- Voted for increased free speech protections on college campuses – SB156 of 2019
- Voted to expand telemedicine to phone calls – HB1063 of 2021
- Voted to expand telemedicine use – HB1068 of 2021
- Voted for religious freedom protections during “emergencies” like a pandemic – HB1211 of 2021
- Voted for full-practice authority for trained nurse midwives – HB1215 of 2021
- Voted to allow APRN as primary care provider in Medicaid – HB1254 of 2021
- Voted for work from home freedom – HB1416 of 2021
- Voted for stand your ground gun law – SB24 of 2021
- Voted for the food freedom act – SB248 of 2021
- Voted to protect the conscience of physicians — SB289 of 2021
- Voted to protect state government against federal overreach – SB298 of 2021
- Voted to return COVID19 regulation fines/fees and voted to overturn the Governor’s veto on this bill – SB301 of 2021
- Voted for interstate firearms protection act – SB59 of 2021
- Voted to end mandatory face coverings – SB590 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit vaccine passports in AR – SB615 of 2021
- Voted for occupational licensure compact deregulation – HB1082 of 2023
- Voted for increased access to childcare services – HB1155 of 2023
- Voted against new government licensing for behavior analysts – HB1189 of 2023
- Voted for fast-track permitting in local governments – HB1207 of 2023
- Voted against new regulations and costs on ridesharing (UBER/LYFT) – HB1237 of 2023
- Voted for decreased regulations for electricians to work – HB1360 of 2023
- Voted to allow youth to work – HB1410 of 2023
- Voted for increased access and providers for counseling and family therapy – SB42 of 2023
- Voted for streamlined occupational licensing for those licensed in other states – SB90 of 2023
- Voted for increased free speech protections on college campuses – SB125 of 2023
- Voted to prohibit regulations locally on fuel/gas industry – HB1572 of 2023
- Voted to criminalize unlawful squatting – HB1049 of 2025
- Voted against new occupational licensure regulations for behavior analysts – HB1245 of 2025
- Voted against new excessive regulations on tiny homes – HB1503 of 2025
- Voted to protect private property owners in unincorporated areas from government with no jurisdiction over them – HB1510 of 2025
- Voted to return private property during criminal investigations when not necessary for the government to seize it – HB1780 of 2025
- Voted against price controls for healthcare services – HB1930 of 2025
- Voted to repeal statewide mandate on water fluoridation – SB2 of 2025
- Voted against violation of private contracting rights – SB139 of 2025
- Voted against increased regulations on alcohol sales and deliveries – SB447 of 2025
- Voted to allow veterinary telemedicine – SB61 of 2025
- Voted to allow vet techs to respond to emergency calls – SB68 of 2025
Transparency / Integrity
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: “We firmly support transparency and openness at every level of government.”
- RPA Platform: “Those elected, appointed, and employed in government work for the taxpayers of this state and must provide public information when requested, in line with Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act.
- RPA Platform: “We support the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act as signed on February 14, 1967.” (Added in 2024)
- RPA Platform: “We believe in strong legislative oversight of state government spending and support continued openness and transparency in the spending of appropriated money. Arkansas Republicans recognize the importance of such funding for local projects but believe that all those seeking state funds for special projects should be subject to examination and oversight of the people’s elected representatives through the appropriations process.”
- RPA Platform: “Reform of government begins with the election of trustworthy and qualified Arkansas Republicans to office at every level of government. This will ensure responsible and effective management of our state’s fiscal and natural resources and honor hardworking taxpayers.”
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted to increase transparency in county government spending – HB1342 of 2019
- Voted for the recording of all public (government) meetings – HB1928 of 2019
- Voted against creating lifetime legislators and repealing term limits – SJR15 of 2019
- Voted to allow photographing of public records – SB194 of 2021
- Voted for transparency within the government rainy day fund – SB205 of 2021
- Voted for legislative oversight over executive branch emergency declarations – SB379 of 2021
- Voted to protect private information involving nonprofit organizations – SB535 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit critical race theory or other DEI concepts in government entities – SB627 of 2021
- Voted for increased transparency for government meeting notices – HB1823 of 2023
- Voted to change house rules to eliminate the special house rules committee, provide better representation on the house rules committee, and to provide for a public vote for speaker of the house – HR1089-1091 of 2023
- Voted for increased transparency in finances in local elections – HB1243 of 2025
- Voted to ban lobbying for China and Russia – HB1662 of 2025
- Voted for video recordings of city council and county quorum courts – HB1879 of 2025
- Voted for DOGE for Arkansas – HB1934 of 2025
- Voted against diverting Medicaid funds and max payment rates for hospitals with blanket authority to bureaucrats and a new special interests Medicaid lobbying committee – HB1969 of 2025
- Voted against a new government healthcare group to further empower special interests – SB264 of 2025
- Voted for learning materials in government schools be subject to the freedom of information law disclosure – SB572 of 2025
- Voted for increased transparency in school boards – SB89 of 2025
- Voted to allow public comment and increased transparency in municipal improvement districts – SB424 of 2025
- Voted against the removal of transparency and oversight in AR development finance authority – HB1797 of 2025; SB382, SB384 of 2025
- Voted against a new government program for student loan forgiveness for mental health professionals – SB562 of 2025
Elections / Term Limits
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: “Honest elections are the foundation of our republican form of limited government”
- RPA Platform: “EVERY TIME THAT A FRAUDULENT VOTE IS CAST, IT EFFECTIVELY CANCELS OUT THE VOTE OF A LEGITIMATE VOTER!”
- RPA Platform: “We support the efforts of county election commissioners to protect against voter fraud and implement voting methods that ensure accuracy and increase voter confidence.” (Added 2024)
- RPA Platform: “Regnat Populus: the People Rule”
- RPA Platform: “We are opposed to any effort by special interests who would thwart the will of the people. . .”
Rep. Cameron Cooper’s Votes 2019-2025:
- Voted against making it harder to pass citizen initiatives – HJR1008 of 2019
- Voted to increase voter integrity in provisional ballots – HB1112 of 2021
- Voted for special election reform – HB1368 of 2021
- Voted against denying free speech in judicial elections – HB1899 of 2021
- Voted to require a vote for local government to increase A&P taxes – HB1027 of 2023
- Voted for election integrity reform – updating voter registrations – HB1407 of 2023
- Voted for special election reform – HB1510 of 2023
- Voted against making it harder for petition initiatives by the people – HB1419 of 2023
- Voted to prevent outside funding to government elections to prevent fraud and special interests controlling elections – SB255 of 2023
- Voted to prohibit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes – SB258 of 2023
- Voted to prohibit ranked choice voting – HB1706 of 2025
- Voted to prohibit pre-filled information on voter registration applications – SB272 of 2025
- Voted to prevent fraud in nursing home absentee ballots and assisting people while voting – SB299 of 2025
- Voted for better election integrity for voter assistance to disabled persons – SB479 of 2025
No commentary is offered regarding whether Rep. Cameron Cooper will be the better candidate. It is assumed that this is sufficient information for voters to draw their own conclusions.
