Conner Eldridge

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In 2015, Eldridge announced that he would challenge incumbent Republican John Boozman in the 2016 election to the United States Senate. [19] Eldridge entered the race to work with and for Arkansans, and he positioned himself as a candidate with a fresh perspective and an independent voice. Eldridge said he planned to serve and make a difference for Arkansans that are increasingly "frustrated with a Washington that seems further and further removed from the real problems they face every day." [8]

Eldridge's campaign focused on nonpartisanship and "getting things done". [20] Eldridge attributed this focus to his "white-board" theory of governing. [20] "That is," Eldridge explained, "that you check the party labels and the politics at the door. You walk in the room; you put a problem on the white board. You have an open, honest, intellectual discussion about what the possible solutions to that problem are. You discuss the pluses and minuses of each solution. You come up with the best solution to the problem. That’s what ought to be implemented via legislation. That is not a partisan exercise." [20]

Political positions

Eldridge addresses a crowd at a Washington County Democrats rally at Shiloh Square in Springdale. Conner Eldridge, Springdale Rally 002.jpg
Eldridge addresses a crowd at a Washington County Democrats rally at Shiloh Square in Springdale.

During his campaign, Eldridge promised as a US Senator, he would prioritize job creation, education and the national debt, among other issues. Specifically, Eldridge drew attention to the national deficit and debt. "We know that we've got $18 trillion in debt, and that debt has tripled from the time my opponent took office," Eldridge said. "It is time we start doing something about it now." [21]

Drawing from his experience as a prosecutor and US Attorney, Eldridge said that if elected to the US Senate, he would introduce legislation that would increase the maximum sentence for child predators, including first-time offenders, to life in prison. [22] This would include criminals who sexually abuse children and those criminals who produce images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. [22]

In response to President Barack Obama's Executive Order on guns, Eldridge, a strong advocate for the Second Amendment, issued a statement encouraging the United States Congress to secure and defend the rights of lawful gun owners under the Second Amendment; enforce the gun laws already on the books; and make it tougher for criminals, those with mental health conditions, and terrorists, to obtain weapons. [23]

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References

  1. Ramonas, William (October 13, 2010). "Meet William Conner Eldridge Jr". Main Justice. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Lyon, John (September 9, 2015). "Conner Eldridge To Challenge Boozman For U.S. Senate Seat". Southwest Times Record. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Conner Eldridge". United States Department of Justice. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  4. "Summit CEO Ross Whipple on Arkansas' 4 Biggest Banking Issues". Arkansas Business. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  5. "President nominates Arkadelphia banker Conner Eldridge as U.S. attorney". Magnolia Reporter. September 29, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Conner Eldridge". Arkansas Business.
  7. Ramonas, Andrew. "Meet William Conner Eldridge Jr". Main Justice. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Conner Eldridge for U.S. Senate". Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  9. "Former developer Brandon Barber gets 65-month federal sentence". October 28, 2014.
  10. "Former baseball coach Walter Roberts sentenced to 10 years for child molestation". THV 11. Retrieved January 29, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. 1 2 Lanning, Curt (May 6, 2015). "Three Men Sentenced To More Than 21 Years For Child Porn". KFSM 5 News. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  12. "Child-porn maker to serve 21.8 years". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  13. Tilley, Michael (October 28, 2015). "Conner Eldridge: 'I'm here to be a prosecutor'". Talk Business & Politics Magazine. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 Souza, Kim (August 5, 2015). "U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge Begins A-Chance Program To Focus On Children Of Troubled Homes". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 "Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Following Operation Crystal Clear". FBI. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  16. "Operation Crystal Clear Results in Charges Against 24 Defendants as Part of Investigation into Drug Trafficking in Arkansas and Texas". FBI. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 "Arkansas Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crimes Related to the Assault of Five Hispanic Men". Department of Justice. May 19, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  18. Green Forest men sentenced for hate crime
  19. "Conner Eldridge Launches Bid to Unseat Republican John Boozman".
  20. 1 2 3 Sweeney, Erica (December 15, 2015). "U.S. Senate Candidate Eldridge: Campaign 'Not a Partisan Exercise'". Arkansas Money & Politics.
  21. "Conner Eldridge in 2016 AR Senate race".
  22. 1 2 "ELDRIDGE PROPOSES LIFE SENTENCES FOR CHILD PREDATORS". Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  23. "ELDRIDGE STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON GUNS". Conner Eldridge for U.S. Senate. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
Conner Eldridge
Connereldridge-150.jpg
United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
In office
December 10, 2010 August 21, 2015
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Arkansas
(Class 3)

2016
Succeeded by