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Jason Rapert
| Jason Rapert | ||
 | ||
| Arkansas State Senate District 35 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2011-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 10, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 2 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $15,869/year | |
| Per diem | $136/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| First elected | November 6, 2012 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | 2 terms (8 years) | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | University of Central Arkansas (1994) | |
| Personal | ||
| Profession | Businessman | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Biograghy
Rapert earned his B.A. in Political Science/Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1994. His professional experience includes working as President and founder of Holy Ghost Ministries, Incorporated, and the owner and Financial Advisor for Rapert and Pillow Financial, Incorporated.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Rapert served on the following committees:
| Arkansas Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Insurance and Commerce, Chair | ||||
| • Public Retirement and Social Security Programs, Vice Chair | ||||
| • Legislative Council | ||||
| • Joint Budget | ||||
| • Education | ||||
| • Joint Performance Review | ||||
| • Economic and Tax Policy | ||||
| • Rules, Resolutions and Memorials | ||||
| • Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Rapert served on these committees:
| Arkansas Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Legislative Council | ||||
| • Joint Budget | ||||
| • Children and Youth | ||||
| • Insurance and Commerce, Vice Chair | ||||
| • Judiciary | ||||
| • Legislative Joint Auditing | ||||
| • Public Retirement and Social Security Programs | ||||
Issues
Human Heartbeat Protection Act
On January 28, 2013, Rapert introduced Senate Bill 134, the proposed "Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act." The bill, now Act 301, would require all pregnant women considering abortion to undergoing medical testing to determine if the fetus has a heartbeat and would ban abortions in pregnancies past 12 weeks where the fetus has a heartbeat. Act 301 includes exemptions for abortions carried "to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman," "due to the existence of a highly lethal fetal disorder as defined by the Arkansas State Medical Board," and in cases of rape and incest.[1] The House passed the bill in its final form 68-20 on February 23, and the Senate followed on February 28, with a vote of 26-8. Governor Mike Beebe vetoed SB 134 on March 4, but more than the required simple majority voted to override his veto in each chamber, with the Senate doing so 20-14 on March 5 and the House 56-33 on March 6. In his veto letter, Beebe asserted that "because it would impose a ban on a woman's right to choose an elective, nontherapeutic abortion well before viability, Senate Bill 134 blatantly contradicts the United States Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court."[2] The Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act became law on March 6 as Act 301.[3] When enacted, the ban on most abortions after a fetus reaches 12 weeks of age was the earliest in the country.[4] The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights announced that they would challenge the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act before it goes into effect 90 days after the legislature's adjournment.[5]
Campaign themes
2012
Rapert's campaign website lists the following issues:[6]
- Economy
- Excerpt: "Our nation must reign in deficit spending at the federal level. I will protect the Arkansas balanced budget law and encourage the federal government to adopt the same standard. "
- 2nd Amendment Gun Rights
- Excerpt: "The right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I believe that every law abiding citizen in our nation has the individual right to own firearms and no law should be passed that infringes upon that right."
- Taxes
- Excerpt: "I support the complete elimination of the Arkansas state sales tax on groceries, and I pledge to introduce legislation to remove this tax during the 2011 legislative session. "
- Healthcare
- Excerpt: "Healthcare is an individual choice and no citizen of our nation should be forced into a federally mandated healthcare program. "
- Pro-Life
- Excerpt: "I believe that life begins at conception and abortion as a form of birth control should be banned. I support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning abortion as a form of birth control."
- Traditional Marriage
- Excerpt: "Traditional marriage in our society has always been between one man and one woman. I support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects that right now and forevermore."
- Education
- Excerpt: "I believe that education is the key to our state's future development. The education of our children is in the vital interest of all segments of our society. "
- State Sovereignty
- Excerpt: "I will defend the rights of Arkansas citizens according to the protections afforded to us under the 10th Amendment."
- Crime
- Excerpt: "I am a strong advocate for responsible law enforcement and believe the population of Arkansas deserves a well trained and well equipped police force and local sheriff department. "[7]
Elections
2012
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2012
Rapert ran for re-election in the 2012 election for Arkansas Senate, District 35. Rapert ran unopposed in the May 22 Republican primary, and defeated Linda Tyler (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[8][9][10]
| Arkansas State Senate, District 35, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Jason Rapert Incumbent |
54.3% | 15,973 | |
| Democratic | Linda Tyler | 45.7% | 13,458 | |
| Total Votes | 29,431 | |||
2010
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2010
Rapert defeated Democrat Johnny Hoyt and Green Party candidate Gregory D. Slocum in the November 2 general election.[11]
| Arkansas State Senate, District 18 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Jason Rapert (R)
|
15,418 | |||
| Johnny Hoyt (D) | 11,603 | |||
| Gregory D. Slocum (G) | 1,062 | |||
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2010
In 2010, Rapert raised $97,455 in contributions. [12]
His three largest contributors were:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rapert, Jason | $18,693 |
| Arkansas Republican Party | $4,000 |
| Stephens Group | $3,000 |
Personal
Rapert and his wife, Laurie, have two children.
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term "Jason + Rapert + Arkansas + Senate"
Jason Rapert News Feed
- Arkansas treasurer remains in Pulaski County Jail - Washington Examiner
- Arkansas treasurer arrested by FBI for extortion - Digital Journal - DigitalJournal.com
- Rapert appointed as Co-Chair of Medicaid committee - Log Cabin Democrat
- Abortion Law in Arkansas Is Blocked by US Judge - New York Times
- In Arkansas, The Magic Number Is 12 - Campus Progress
- States prepare to defend controversial laws - ReporterHerald.com
- Women's rights in court this morning - Arkansas Times (blog)
- Federal judge grants injunction to block 12 week abortion ban - THV 11
- Judge grants injunction in Ark. abortion ban case - Bradenton Herald
- Judge blocks 12-week limit for abortions - Northwest Arkansas News
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External links
- Summary, biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions at Follow The Money
- Photostream at Flickr
- Profile at Twitter
- Video Channel on YouTube
- Profile at LinkedIn
- Co-Owner of Rapert & Pillow Financial
References
- ↑ Text of Arkansas Act 301, formerly Senate Bill 134
- ↑ Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press, "Ark. Gov. Beebe Vetoes 12-Week Abortion Ban," March 4, 2013
- ↑ Bill status information for Arkansas Senate Bill 134, accessed March 11, 2013
- ↑ Suzi Parker, Reuters, "Arkansas bans abortion at 12 weeks, earliest in nation," March 6, 2013
- ↑ Erik Eckholm, The New York Times, "Arkansas Adopts a Ban on Abortions After 12 Weeks," March 6, 2013
- ↑ Campaign website, Issues
- ↑ Jason Rapert's campaign website, Issues
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State "Election Results 2012" Accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2012 Election candidates," March 8, 2012
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State - Official 2012 Primary Results
- ↑ General election results
- ↑ 2010 contributions
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bill Pritchard (R) |
Arkansas State Senate District 35 2013–present |
Succeeded by NA |
| Preceded by Bob Johnson |
Arkansas State Senate District 18 2011–2013 |
Succeeded by Missy Thomas Irvin (R) |
| |||||||||||||||||
- State legislative article missing donor information
- Republican Party
- Arkansas
- 2010 candidate
- 2010 challenger
- 2010 winner
- State Senate candidate, 2010
- 2010 open seat
- Current member, Arkansas State Senate
- State senators first elected in 2010
- 2012 incumbent
- State Senate candidate, 2012
- 2012 primary (winner)
- 2012 general election (winner)
- 2012 State Senate incumbent displaced by redistricting
