As I reported yesterday, Paul Spencer, a teacher who lives in Scott, has formed an exploratory committee to run as a Democrat for 2nd District U.S. House against Republican Rep. French Hill.

He issued a news release this morning, that said in part he was “disgusted by the growing power of corporate money in politics and the lack of representation for the needs of Arkansans.”

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His release

Spencer released the following statement:

“The intended purpose of the House of Representatives is to represent the needs of the people. Currently, only the needs of special interests are being represented in the 2nd District. This is evidenced by contemptuous budget priorities, tax policy, and most recently in health care policy that demonstrates reckless disregard for the people of Arkansas. Also, in this current unpredictable political climate, Arkansans deserve representation that will vigorously defend and uphold the core values of our democracy and the rule of law.”

After the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision, Spencer founded the local group Regnat Populus (the Arkansas state motto, meaning “The People Rule”), which spearheaded a statewide campaign for ethics reform to limit special interest influence in elections. This resulted in the passage of language that amended Arkansas law to ban direct corporate contributions to candidates.

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