Governor Sanders Announces $204 Million in Arkansas Water Funding – Governor Asa Hutchinson
Governor Sanders Announces $204 Million in Arkansas Water Funding Governor Asa Hutchinson
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The Sustainable Development Goals and the Arkansas Governor Race
The daughter of one of Arkansas’ longest serving and most popular governors will run for the state’s highest office in 2022.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee and the White House Press Secretary under former President Donald Trump, said Monday (Jan. 25) she will be a candidate for Arkansas governor in 2022.
Campaign Announcement
“Today, I announce my candidacy for governor of Arkansas,” Sanders said in a near 8-minute campaign video announcement.
Republican Nomination
She will face at least two previously announced candidates for the Republican nomination in Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
Political Background
A well-known Republican political operative and public figure, Sanders served the Trump administration in the high-profile press secretary post. Trump carried Arkansas in the 2020 Presidential election with 63% of the vote. She is likely to benefit from a still-viable political machine that her father and mother built over a decade of campaigns and public service in the mid-90’s to mid-2000’s. Her parents, Janet and Mike Huckabee, recently moved back to Arkansas from Florida.
Sanders, 38, has worked at high levels on the campaigns of her father’s Presidential runs as well as the campaigns of Republican U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton. Her husband, Bryan Sanders, has advised U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock.
Sustainable Development Goals
If elected, Sanders would be the first female governor of Arkansas. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to the office. Sanders’ campaign aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender Equality – Sanders aims to become the first female governor of Arkansas.
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Sanders plans to create jobs and champion good schools and teachers.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Sanders opposes sanctuary cities and supports reducing the size and cost of government.
Opponents and Fundraising
Griffin and Rutledge have amassed solid fundraising numbers in their early candidacies, raising a few million dollars collectively. Sanders’ profile and connections should help her close the fundraising gap quickly. State Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Gravette, and former GOP Speaker of the House Davy Carter have also hinted at potential gubernatorial runs. Democrat John Burkhalter has discussed a possible run for governor in 2022, according to sources.
Political Landscape
Arkansas has seen a major political shift over the last decade as Republicans hold all statewide and federal offices as well as have supermajorities in both chambers of the Arkansas legislature. Conventional wisdom suggests the winner of the GOP nomination will be a heavy favorite to win the general election.
Challenges and Responses
Sanders and her husband have three children, Scarlett, Huck, and George. She will face a high level of scrutiny from political rivals and the media. She has given many on-camera interviews over the years that will likely provide ammunition for opponents and require explanations to the press. Former President Trump’s political controversies, and Sanders’ role defending some of them, will be brought up during the campaign.
Statements from Opponents
Lt. Gov. Griffin tells Talk Business & Politics he’s ready to draw contrasts in their candidacies. “I welcome Sarah Sanders to the race for Governor. I look forward to comparing our experience, track record, and vision for the future of Arkansas,” Griffin said. Rutledge has been asked for comment.
Attorney General Rutledge said her friendship with Sarah and the Huckabee family would survive a competitive primary. “Sarah and her family have been good friends for a long time and will continue to be after this election. As our great State and Nation face threats to our liberties and freedoms from far-left national leaders, Arkansas must have a leader with a proven record of accomplishments against the liberal left. This race is about Arkansas’s future and who has a proven record and not merely rhetoric in order to deliver the results we need to make Arkansas First in protecting our faith, families and freedoms,” she said. “As the Attorney General, much has been accomplished to defend our values and create economic and educational opportunity for all Arkansans and by working together we can accomplish much more as Governor.”
Michael John Gray, chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, offered this response to Sanders’ entry in the race. “Republican candidates continue their race to the bottom, using fear mongering and hateful rhetoric to try and scare Arkansans. Democrats believe Arkansas deserves better. Arkansas deserves candidates that talk about investing in every community across this state, who understand that arguing about Washington politics doesn’t put food on the table – jobs and economic opportunity do. Candidates need to understand that our children shouldn’t have to leave our state to succeed. Leadership is about bringing people together not seeking to divide us. This is Arkansas. We are better and we deserve better,” he said.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life
- Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments
- Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary)
- Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age, and persons with disabilities |
Source: talkbusiness.net
