Rep. Bob Johnson (D- Jacksonville) has received endorsements from several key political action committees, including those of the Arkansas Education Association, Arkansas Realtors, Arkansas State Employees Association, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association and others.
The AEA’s political action committee voted to recommend Johnson’s candidacy to its members and gave him $500 in his re-election effort.
“We value your opinions and ideas of public education in Arkansas,” the AEA said in a letter to Johnson, who supports pre-kindergarten education in public schools.
Johnson is opposed by Republican Patrick Thomas of Jacksonville.
The trial lawyers, representing 1,000 attorneys in the state, contributed $1,000 to Johnson’s re-election, saying he stands up for the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the right to jury trials.
The PAC praised his “strong belief in the preservation of the Seventh Amendment, who support(s) the ability of a local jury to reflect the values of their own communities and who values(s) protection of our constitutional right to access to justice for individuals with legitimate lawsuits, despite taking on the most powerful interests.”
The Arkansas Realtors Political Action Committee gave Johnson a $500 contribution.
The State Employees of Arkansas Political Action Committee has also endorsed Johnson and contributed $200.
“The Arkansas State Employees Association is proud to announce that SEAPAC is endorsing your candidacy,” wrote John Bridges, SEAPAC liaison and ASEA assistant director.
The political action committee of Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association has also endorsed Johnson.
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers also endorsed Johnson and gave him $500.
The SMART transportation division represents railroad, bus, sheet metal and airline members in the United States and Canada. The organization’s predecessor, the United Transportation Union, was founded in Hot Springs in 1969. It represents 1,100 active and more than 2,000 retired railroad conductors, trainmen and engineers in Arkansas.
