State Democratic Party Chair Michael John Gray says Republican Rep. Mickey Gates should resign because of six felony charges of failing to pay state income taxes. Republican Party Chair Doyle Webb and Republican House Speaker Matthew Shepherd have not responded to my requests for comment on the charges.
Gray’s statement:
“Yet again, we see how the continued corruption at our State Capitol is eroding the trust Arkansans have placed in their public servants. Representative Gates’s inability and refusal to follow the law displays not only an abuse of power, but also a failure to the people of his district.
“The only acceptable action must be for Representative Gates to resign immediately. Republican Chairman Doyle Webb should also join in calling for Rep. Gates to do the right thing and leave the legislature. Having lawmakers that follow the law should be non-partisan.”
Rep. Gates is a two-term state Representative from District 22. He faces Democratic nominee Kevin Rodgers in the November general election.