(while retaining “power”)
Caveat:
Unlike most ITRP articles, this one includes editorial background on what we may expect if we retain ‘Wardlaw’ in the Arkansas House.
Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, a Democrat legislator since 2010, changed his party affiliation to Republican shortly after his Democrat re-election to his fourth term in November of 2016.
This was done at nearly the same time two other long-time Democrat members of the House (Joe Jett and Mike Holcomb) did the samei —all being awarded powerful chairmanships by Speaker Jeremy Gillam only days after Wardlaw’s move.
If you were following politics in those days, you recall Speaker Gillam quickly claimed that the awarding of these powerful positions (Wardlaw-to chair Public Health and Jett-chair to Revenue and Taxation) simultaneously with their switching tee-shirt colors, was in no way part of a deal or promise for their moves, which began the first year of the Republican super majority of 75% or greater.
One may safely assume that for those in power at the time (e.g. Governor Asa Hutchinson et al) this move was a big plus toward maintaining the status quo in Arkansas’s blue policy government spending, which includes: calling tax increases “tax cuts,” increasing government benefits to those who can work but do not, removing caps on government debt, extending the terms and tripling the salaries of part-time legislators — just to name a few (none of which have gone away as of today — after 10 years of Republican rule).
There is one thing to which we can attest, these Wardlaw Era Republicans stay on guard against any “freedom-minded” Republican “right-wing crazy” gaining enough support to pass some policy idea like—reducing taxes which would be reflected in a reduction in government spending, passing medical freedom bills, accountability and transparency from legislators, retaining our FOIA law (the best in the country), recording committee votes, or refusing to “always” bow to the power of the lobbyists.
Take note, it is in the Republican primary that blue policy ‘Wardlaw Era’
Republicans are at risk of being replaced!
Records reflect that Rep. Wardlaw has enhanced his livelihood with the passing of the largest welfare program in Arkansas history (Obamacare Medicaid expansion) while sitting and even chairing twice the House Public Health Committee. During this time, he went to work for nursing home owners who allegedly bribed judges for reduced judgments after a jury returned a $5.2 million dollar judgment against the nursing home for patient neglect. Although a “farmer”, he assumed the expertise needed to open a medical supply company, Mallard Medical Supply, LLC, which appears to prosper up to this day.
Rep. Wardlaw also fought to prevent reforms to the Medicaid expansion program to ensure that insurance companies receive millions of taxpayer dollars for a welfare program for insurance premiums regardless of whether a person uses that insurance, or even knows they have it, all for able-bodied working age adults “who do not work.” One of the most egregious acts in the opinion of many was that Wardlaw fought so hard against the passage of a bill by Senator Bryan King for a legislator to be required to disclose whether they were in a financial relationship with a Medicaid provider—which he was at the time of his votesii.
Now, after 16 years, Rep. Wardlaw is so good at this job that he does not want Arkansas to give him up just because he is term-limited under the law. Getting his wife, Missy Wardlaw, elected to House District 94 is arguably duplicating his efforts—perhaps even better than being there.
Missy faces a Republican primary opponent, Dr. John Kyle Day, a professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. If Wardlaw’s campaign convinces enough primary voters to elect her, she may be legally barred from serving in the state legislature due to an alleged hot check criminal conviction from 2018. Her primary opponent has filed a lawsuit to stop her from being on the ballot. The lawsuit was recently dismissed in Pulaski County and is currently being appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
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So—with that background, let’s look closer at the voting record for Rep. Wardlaw so we will know what to expect from his wife.
We hope the reader finds this information helpful in comparing the principles espoused in the Arkansas Republican Platform to the voting record of Rep. Wardlaw and assumed record of his wife, Missy, if she is elected. The Arkansas Republican Platform was updated at the 2024 Republican State Convention and can be found HERE.iii
Please note that we are only referencing Rep. Wardlaw’s votes back to 2017. Should you want to view his earlier voting records or how he ranks among the other 134 Arkansas legislators according to the CFC Economic Freedom Filter, please go to Conduit for Commerce’s website for Legislative Scorecards back to 2013.
(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 and you may find additional articles referencing Rep. Jeff Wardlaw’s time in office listed belowiv. )
Taxes
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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted to create new refundable tax credit welfare program – HB1161 of 2017
- Voted for a new tax on digital products and tax increases on candy & soda – HB1162 of 2017
- Voted for new tire fees / tax increase on tires – HB1267 of 2017
- Voted for gas tax increase proposal – HB1726 of 2017
- Voted for gas tax increase – SB336 of 2019
- Voted for $293 million sales tax increase proposal – HJR1018 of 2019
- Voted to increase cell phone fees – HB1564 of 2019
- Voted to increase water bill fees – HB1737 of 2019
- Voted to increase the tax on every entity registered in Arkansas – SB207 of 2023
- Voted for future tax increases to fund expansion of government retirement program – HB1268 of 2025
- Voted for future tax increases to fund expanded government workers dependents retirement benefits – HB1348 of 2025
- Voted to allow fire departments to levy taxes on people not living in the fire department district – HB1416 of 2025
- Did not vote for increased homestead property tax credit – HB1534 of 2025
- Voted to make a temporary tax permanent – SB219 of 2025
- Voted for extra funding for universities capital projects – SB245 of 2025
- Voted for new $500 million future tax increase – bond issue – SB421 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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted against school choice and education savings accounts – HB1222 & SB746 of 2017
- Voted against a personal finance course taught in public schools – HB1442 of 2017
- Voted against school choice scholarships – HB1371 of 2021
- Voted against tax credit school choice program – SB680 of 2021
- Voted to hold children down if they transferred to a government school from a private school – HB1540 of 2023
- Voted for taxpayer money for government television – SB64 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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for a corporate welfare Governor “slush fund” – SB331 of 2017
- Voted for a corporate welfare tax credit – SB688 of 2017
- Voted against restricting food stamps to only nutritional food – HB1035 of 2017
- Voted against improving unemployment insurance tying them to economic conditions to promote work – HB1676 of 2021
- Voted against preventing fraud in unemployment insurance – HB1765 of 2021
- Voted to allow new special interest local/special legislation to distribute tax dollars – HB1710 of 2023
- Voted to allow retailers to receive economic development tax breaks – HB1841 of 2023
- Voted to make it easier to qualify for food stamps – SB306 of 2023
- Voted for expansion of welfare benefit eligibility to non-poor people with valuable assets – HB1915 of 2025
- Did not vote to prohibit food stamps for candy/soda – SB217 of 2025
- Voted for more corporate welfare with future tax increases through public debt bonds – SB361 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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for increased regulations on hearing aid dispensers – HB1034 of 2017
- Voted against improving the minimum wage law for small businesses and non-profits – HB1752 of 2019
- Voted against improving the minimum wage law for teen workers – HB1753 of 2019
- Voted against protecting free speech on college campuses – SB156 of 2019
- Voted against full practice authority for nurse midwives – HB1215 of 2021
- Voted against work from home freedom – HB1416 of 2021
- Voted against prohibiting local governments from restricting use of plastic bags/bottles – HB1704 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit free speech in judicial elections – HB1899 of 2021
- Voted against returning COVID19 government fees – SB301 of 2021 (veto override)
- Voted against occupational licensure deregulation compact – HB1082 of 2023
- Voted for increased regulations and costs on rideshares (UBER/LYFT) – HB1237 of 2023
- Voted for increased regulation and anti-freedom choices in medical records – HB1275 of 2023
- Voted to undermine telemedicine availability in physical therapy – HB1705 of 2023
- Voted to ban the use of all tobacco/vape products – HB1725 of 2023
- Voted against deregulations to allow more counseling and family therapy – SB42 of 2023
- Voted against increased free speech on college campuses – SB125 of 2023
- Voted against criminalizing unlawful squatting – HB1049 of 2025
- Voted for price controls for healthcare services – HB1930 of 2025
- Voted for a new department of government financial services – SB229 of 2025
- Voted for a new regulatory division within the state IRS (DFA) – HB1898 of 2025
- Voted to abolish tobacco and vaping products in Arkansas – SB252 of 2025
Life
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: We are beings created in God’s image; and as such, we believe all Americans should have equal opportunity to succeed regardless of race, nationality, origin, gender, or creed and should be granted no special preferences based on these criteria.
Rep. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted to put a price tag on human life – SJR8 of 2017
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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted against transparency in campaign finance reports online – HB1010 of 2017
- Voted against transparency with searchable database of campaign finance reports online – HB1427 of 2017
- Voted to allow secret meetings for taxpayer economic development projects – HB1280 of 2021
- Voted for a FOIA exemption on sales tax data – HB1868 of 2021
- Voted against transparency for the rainy-day taxpayer fund – SB205 of 2021
- Voted to undermine freedom of information law in law enforcement – SB346 of 2021
- Voted against prohibiting DEI discrimination by government entities – SB71 of 2023
- Did not vote to increase transparency in financial disclosure of local elections – HB1243 of 2023
- Voted against prohibiting lobbying for China or Russia – HB1662 of 2025
- Did not vote for transparency in government teaching and parental rights in children’s education – HB1684 of 2025
- Voted to allow a new government healthcare lobbying group to benefit special interests – SB264 of 2025
- Voted to remove transparency and oversight in taxpayer funded financial loans and services programs – HB1797 of 2025
- Voted to repeal transparency in Arkansas development finance authority capital access fund – SB382 of 2025
- Repeal of transparency in Arkansas development finance authority bond issues – SB384 of 2025
- Voted to repeal transparency in Arkansas government economic development offices in foreign countries – SB388 of 2025
- Voted to repeal of transparency in driver services public records – SB498 of 2025
- Voted against learning materials of government schools being subject to the freedom of information law – SB572 of 2025
- Voted to repeal the internal audit authority to review the department of transportation – 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. Jeff Wardlaw’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted to get rid of lifetime term limits – SJR15 of 2019
- Voted to make it harder to pass citizen initiatives – HJR1008 of 2019
- Voted to deny ballot access competition – SB163 of 2019
- Voted for increased voter fraud with electronic voter registration – HB1517 of 2021
- Voted against prohibiting election interference by outside groups giving money to government actors – SB255 of 2023
- Voted against election integrity in absentee voting to allow more voter fraud – SB235 of 2023
- Voted to prohibit employment of non-Arkansans for canvassing – HB1574 of 2025
- Voted to make it harder to pass citizen initiatives – SB207-211 of 2025
- Did not vote to prevent fraud in nursing home absentee ballots and assisting people to vote – SB299 of 2025
No commentary is offered regarding whether Missy Wardlaw will be the better candidate to serve as replacement for her current husband based specifically on this voting record. It is assumed that this is sufficient information for voters to draw their own conclusions.
Although barred from continuing to enrich himself while being a state legislator, voters should assume that Wardlaw’s current wife would hold the same voting patterns. Therefore, we review Wardlaw’s voting record to see what primary voters can expect if they vote for Missy.
