LITTLE ROCK - Former U.S. Attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate Conner Eldridge today called on Sen. Boozman to explain his support for the state GOP's decision to eliminate all language regarding pre-K education in the party's platform. Eldridge also criticized Sen. Boozman for his apparent 'election-year hypocrisy,' in which he says one thing during an election year only to get to Washington to vote against the interests of Arkansas.
"Sen. Boozman spoke at a Community Clinic Celebration as well as Teachers Appreciation event today," said Eldridge. "In his address to the Community Clinic Celebration, he forgot to mention he has 'no qualms' about kicking 267,000 people off private health insurance and the closing of 19 rural hospitals around the state. In his speech to kindergarten teachers, he conveniently left out his apparent opposition to pre-K education. Per usual, Boozman is trying to pull a fast one on the people of Arkansas. This is what is wrong with Washington: politicians who make election-year promises they won't keep, while favoring political maneuvering instead of commonsense policies that actually make a difference for our state."
At the Republican Party of Arkansas convention in Rogers over the weekend, the decision was made to eliminate any mention of pre-kindergarten from the state party's platform. Data consistently shows that children enrolled in quality pre-kindergarten are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to depend on welfare as adults. Children are also less likely to be incarcerated and more likely to attend college if enrolled in quality pre-K. Eldridge called on Sen. Boozman to explain his position on the matter.
"We should be fighting for the children of this state -- especially those in low-income families -- not further hindering or ignoring them," said Eldridge. "The irresponsible move to strike any mention of pre-K puts already at-risk children at even greater risk of never escaping poverty. I call on my opponent to state clearly his position on the matter. Programs like these have win-win outcomes for our children and our entire state that we should all -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- enthusiastically support.
"As Arkansas's next U.S. Senator, I will help ensure all Arkansans have access to quality education and support expanded pre-K. As I've shown as U.S. Attorney, I will prioritize advancing our communities and children, not merely speak about it during an election year. That's why I created the A-chance program, which gets disadvantaged youth the help they need around the state. I welcome Sen. Boozman to debate these issues with me today at the community clinic he just visited."