U.S. Senate Candidate Eldridge Travels Across Arkansas On Family Spring Break Road Trip
LITTLE ROCK – Former prosecutor and U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge, who is running for the U.S. Senate, will travel across the state of Arkansas with his family the week of March 21, 2016 during his family’s spring break. Eldridge said he wanted his three young boys to experience some of the best places Arkansas has to offer and to promote the importance of tourism in the state. The tour builds on Eldridge’s efforts to hear the voices of all Arkansans, which he began with the launching of his 24 hour #HearARVoices road tour following primary election night on March 1.
“Arkansas has a lot to offer the world: incredible natural beauty; a rich heritage; amazing museums, galleries and local artists; and, some of the most hospitable people and places around,” said Eldridge. “It’s why tourism is one of our state’s top industries, creating jobs and bringing important revenue to our communities and state. I want my three boys to enjoy everything our state has to offer, and I want to preserve and protect what makes Arkansas so special so their children can one day experience the same.”
By the end of the spring break trip, the Eldridge family will have visited:
· Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
· The Crescent Hotel & Christ of the Ozarks Statue in Eureka Springs
· Mount Magazine
· The Pea Ridge National Military Park
· The Little Rock Zoo
· The Central High Visitor’s Center
· The Old State House
· Gaston’s on the White River
· Blanchard Springs Caverns
· Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro
· Oaklawn in Hot Springs
· Historic Washington State Park in Hempstead County
· Ozark Folk Center
· Greers Ferry Dam
· Bentonville Town Square.
Tourism is an important and growing industry for the Arkansas economy, bringing in 28 million visitors who spent a combined $7.2 billion in 2015 alone according to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism annual report.
“Tourism is the backbone of so many communities across Arkansas, which is why it must be a priority for our state,” said Eldridge. “As our next senator, I will work with the state of Arkansas, local communities and whomever it takes to strengthen and grow our state’s tourism industry. Arkansas deserves a senator who does more than simply show up and vote. We need a senator who will lead on issues important to the future of our state, such as tourism and conservation. And, that’s exactly what I will do.”
Eldridge encouraged Arkansans to follow his family’s spring break trip on Facebook and on Twitter.