A Republican Race in Benton County for State Senate is Heating Up

The polls are set to open Tuesday, and in Benton County a Republican race is heating up. It's an primary for State Senate in district one. The race features a seasoned political vet vs. a first time politician. Rogers' businessman Bart Hester is taking on two time Arkansas State Representative Tim Summers. Hester said, "It's on your mind 24 hours a day, when you wake up and when you go to bed." Summers added, "I've ran in several races before, but this one, certainly, has been the most intense, from the standpoint of the work I've put in." There are quite a few differences between these two men, especially when it comes to experience. Summers said his experience might be one of his strongest attribute, "I know who to call to get things done, I know how it works, I've built relationships with people all over the state, that's the value of experience and knowing what you are doing." Hester disagrees, he says his opponent's political background doesn't amount to much, "Experience doesn't excite me in the political world. Because we've got lots of guys in office with experience, but I don't see things getting better. I see government growing with more regulations and more taxes, and it doesn't work for me." Both candidates have a focus on the economy but one point of difference might be taxes. Hester said, "The main difference between the two of is, I've said you know what I'm not going to raise taxes, I signed a pledge that said over the next four years I will not raise our taxes, I'll look to budget and prioritize for any need that we have." Summers refuted, "I don't sign pledges and I don't support special interest groups, I have a record, and my record speaks for itself." It's an intense race between a rookie and a political vet that is set to come to a close as the polls open on Tuesday.