The secretary of the state of Arkansas
announced Rod Bryan of Little Rock had collected 10,052 valid signatures from registered voters, enough to get him in the gubernatorial race.
The race between the two traditional party candidates was shaping into what seemed like a left versus right battle. Bryan's entry threatens to change that dynamic.
Bryan appears to be pro-business, for lower taxes, but:
Bryan said he opposes tax increases but would like to see a restructuring of the tax system because he believes the poor pay too much in taxes and the wealthy pay too little. Beebe and Hutchinson both have offered varying tax-reduction proposals.
There's more...
Bryan considers himself the common man and makes a good point about the Governor's race status quo:
"I think it's time for a person who is an average citizen to make a stand. I think politics has become an elite game that is marginalizing common people and I consider myself a common person."
His platform is the three E's: Education, economy and energy and:
Among other things, Bryan said he would:
- Donate half of his annual salary "back to the state program deemed most deserving by me and my advisers," and ride his bicycle most days as his primary form of transportation. In the fiscal year starting July 1, the governor's salary will be $ 80, 848.
- Run state government like he has run his store by recycling all paper, bottles and cans, composting orange peels, apple cores, egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.
- Put solar panels in the Governor's Mansion by cutting the budget for other things.
He's also against the death penalty and spending tax dollars on pesticides.
Bryan would appear to be further left of Beebe. Question is, does this indy have the legs to syphon off progressive votes from Beebe?