Republican candidate to take on Democrat incumbent in District 49
The Democratic incumbent has been representing District 49 steadily for almost six years, but the new Republican candidate wants to bring change to the area.
Rep. Jay Richardson is proud of the work that he has done for the people of north Fort Smith. But Max Avery, the Republican who is challenging Richardson in the upcoming election, said it is not enough.
Richardson, 51, has sponsored or co-sponsored several bills that he said have a direct impact on the area. Act 170 improved teachers' salaries. Acts 747 and 921 provided critical incident debriefing for law enforcement and firefighters.
He also helped pass Act 602, which allows schools to distribute their excess food to hungry students.
Richardson said he wants to continue to work to combat food insecurity and poverty, which he said he sees as major issues in the area.
“I love my city, and I love my community," said Richardson, a Fort Smith native.
Richardson also wants to support small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit of Fort Smith. He would like to empower people to shop locally and reduce taxes on small businesses.
Avery, 36, would like to be a champion for the people of District 49.
“I am passionate about seeing change in our community," Avery said.
Avery sees north Fort Smith as an area that has been forgotten by state politics.
“It’s just been overlooked as a part of state government," Avery said.
Avery wants to push economic development in the area as well as better education to bring prosperity and success to the north side of town.
Avery also wants to serve as an advocate for Fort Smith in its troubles with the consent decree.
“I understand that the city directors kind of have their hands tied," Avery said.
As Fort Smith is poised to undergo expected growth with the arrival of the fighter jet program, Avery said he wants to fight for the city to become even more successful.
“This is really like a pivotal moment to make sure that Fort Smith gets on the right track," Avery said. He later added, “I don’t want to see that just slip away."
Avery said he is also passionate about education reform and is pro-school choice, which would allow parents to take their tax dollars and give them to the school of their choosing.
Avery is from Alma and has lived in Fort Smith for about the last five years. He is the founder of the CDL Academy and handles projects for Guardian Payment Systems.
“I choose Fort Smith. I love Fort Smith," Avery said.
Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Republican candidate to take on Democrat incumbent in District 49
