State Senator Jimmy Hickey Alleges “Backroom” Deal Resulting in Arnetta Bradford’s Run For District 88 State Representative Race
By Mark Keith, 03/27/24 1:42 PMDistrict 4 State Senator Jimmy Hickey of Texarkana is alleging District 88 State Representative Candidate Arnetta Bradford’s candidacy is the result of a “backroom” deal between current District Representative Danny Watson and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The Senator claims Watson told at least one state representative about the alleged deal. Here is part of Senator Hickey’s social media post about the situation.
“*** on October 2nd, 2023, Rep Danny Watson (current Representative of Dist 88 who is not running), Representative Carol Dalby, Representative Deann Vaught and other officials had an important meeting within my Senate District.
***on the above date, Rep Danny Watson told Rep Carol Dalby that he was not going to seek re-election for his current seat. Rep Dalby relayed this information to me on the same date. Rep Dalby is tagged in this post for verification.
***Rep Danny Watson told Rep Carol Dalby that a senior staffer at the Governor’s office had told him that he would get an appointment on the Parole Board “if” he (Watson)found a replacement that the Governor’s office would approve of and if they did not have to fund a lot of money into this SW Arkansas race.
***Parole board members are paid 6 figures in an annual salary. Over $100,000 per year. It is also important to note that this amount can also increase the retirement of a previous State Employee or State Elected Official.
***Rep Watson told Rep Dalby and other State Representatives that he was not going to publicly tell that he wasn’t running for re-election. His plan was to bring Arnetta Bradford, Dolly Henley’s opponent, to the Capitol on the very last day to sign up for this seat with only a few minutes remaining.
*** I (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr) was talking to a community member in November and I found out that, in fact, Representative Danny Watson was not being truthful with local leaders/elected officials about his intention of running for reelection. I was told that he was actually telling them he was going to run for reelection.
***Questions which need to be answered and verified.
*Is this ethical or even legal? It does require tax payer dollars to pay for the six figure Parole Board salary.
*Arnetta Bradford did wait until the last day to sign up and Rep Danny Watson told Rep Dalby that he was helping with the sign up and was also going to carry Arnetta Bradford to visit with a political campaign consultant. Did Arnetta Bradford know about or have an involvement in this Parole Board six figure “discussion or arrangement”?”
When contacted by phone Wednesday (3-27) morning by the Hope-Prescott News about the allegations and whether he stood behind them, Senator Hickey answered, “Yes sir”. When contacted by phone Wednesday by the Hope-Prescott News and asked if she stands behind her statements as depicted in Senator Hickey’s post, State Representative Dalby answered, “Those are all accurate”.
When contacted via text Wednesday morning and asked if she knew of any such “deal” between the Governor and Representative Watson, Arnetta Bradford replied, ” no sir, And I’ve never heard anything about any of it!”
When contacted by the Hope-Prescott News, State Representative Watson said, “I’ve made no secret of my interest in eventually serving on the Post Pardon Transfer Board. Governor Sanders knew of my interest and knew of my plans to retire. I feel this has been all misconstrued by Senator Hickey and Representative Dalby. Even should Ms. Bradford be elected, there’s was never a commitment for such an appointment”.
