3rd District GOP nod goes to incumbent
By Morgan Nunley
Eagle View Managing Editor – News and Sports
As of 9:40 p.m. Tuesday (March 5), Womack leads the Republican Party primary for the Third Congressional District over Clint Penzo. With about 85% of the votes tallied, unofficial returns show Womack holding a lead over Penzo at 55% to 45% and about a 6,000 vote lead. The only county that hasn’t reported any voting numbers is Carroll County. If the numbers hold, Womack is expected to face Democratic candidate Caitlin Draper Mattelin on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Womack was elected as the representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Arkansas in 2010 and has been a successful congressman to this point, winning two primaries and seven general elections.
Arkansas’ Third District accounts for parts of six counties in the northwest corner of the Natural State. The counties include Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, and part of Sebastian. Places of note within the district include cities like Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Rogers, Springdale, and Bentonville.
Both men have different upbringings and values, while also sharing some similarities, with the most notable being that both men are in the Republican Party.
Penzo has stated that some of his issues and stances include “fighting for individual liberty and limited government, opposing vaccine mandates and opposing tax increases.” Penzo’s website included other concerns such as illegal immigration, national debt, abortion, law enforcement and veterans, as well as limits on the federal government and firearm regulations.
Womack’s core set of concerns in his bid for re-election includes supporting the military, continuing to call for conservatism in the administration, serving the needs of his constituents, as well as national debt. Other issues listed on his campaign website were abortion, agriculture, budget, defense, education, energy, foreign affairs, healthcare, immigration, small business, Social Security, tax reform, and transportation.
Daniel Bennett, a political science professor at John Brown University, gave his expectations and thoughts on the race, before the primaries kicked off. Bennett spoke about both Womack and Penzo. He said going into the March 5 vote Womack had an edge, given many factors, and most notably his status as the incumbent.
“The fact that he can claim credit and experience as a conservative Republican in a conservative district gives him a major leg up on his challengers,” Bennett said. Womack has the advantage due to his experience and knowledge of the legislation and the process of the district.
Regarding Penzo, Bennett argued that his efforts to turn the constituents of the district against Womack would be his biggest advantage coming into the March primary. Bennett stated that Penzo was also seeking to capitalize on the difference between Womack and himself in supporting former President Trump at the top of the ticket. Bennett said that Penzo is banking on these voters to oust Womack in favor of a more “Trump” Republican.
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