The Arkansas Right to Life political action committee has endorsed Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, in the state Senate District 7 race.
Pritchard is facing Rep. Jon Woods, R-Springdale, in the May 22 Republican primary. Woods is the only other announced Republican.
Diana Gonzales Worthen, a Springdale Democrat, also is running for the seat.
Wayne Mays, president of the PAC’s 15-member board, said an important factor in Pritchard’s favor is that he is the incumbent.
“An incumbent always has an advantage if they’ve done a good job,” Mays said.
Mays said it also is important to the group that Pritchard is in line to become chairman or vice chairman on the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee because of seniority.
The committee hears much of the legislation important to the PAC, Mays said.
Mays said the PAC had a difficult decision in choosing between Pritchard and Woods because both are worthy candidates. Pritchard’s incumbency was significant, he said.
“We were in a bad spot but in a good way,” he said about deciding between Pritchard and Woods.
The only other candidate the group has endorsed is state Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Bigelow.
Mays, who also is president and CEO of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce, said the Arkansas Right to Life PAC will endorse candidates in other Senate and House races.
