Hudson Hallum
Hudson Hallum is a former Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing District 54 from July 2011 until resigning on September 5, 2012, after pleading guilty to election fraud.[1] He was elected in a special election to fill the vacancy created after incumbent Fred Smith (D) was convicted of theft. Smith resigned, but promised to appeal the decision.[2]
Biography
Hallum's professional experience includes working as a firefighter and paramedic in West Memphis and Marion and founding Crittenden EMS, a private ambulance company. Hallum is a member of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Methodist Hospitals STEMI advisory board.
Elections
2012
Hallum ran for election in the 2012 election for Arkansas House of Representatives, District 50. Hallum was slated to face Fred Smith in the May 22 Democratic primary. However, Smith was removed from the ballot in April 2012. As a result, Hallum ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[3][4][5] Hallum withdrew from the race after resigning his seat on September 5, 2012.[1] However, Hallum was still on the ballot up until election day, when a court declared him ineligible, leaving Smith to win election unopposed.[6][7]
2011
Hallum defeated John Geelan (R) and D'James Rogers (I) in the special election on July 12, 2011.[8]
Noteworthy events
Election fraud
On September 5, 2012, Hallum, along with his father and two campaign workers, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit election fraud during Hallum's 2011 special election campaign. Pending a sentencing hearing, the four were released. In an e-mail to other Democratic legislators, Hallum said, "I took some bad advice that led to some bad decisions on my part. I am going to stand up and accept full responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry because I know this news will have an effect on everyone's upcoming race."[9]
According to federal prosecutors, Hallum and his father had the two campaign workers obtain absentee ballot applications and assist voters to fill them out as well as completing some ballots themselves and ignoring the voter's choice. In addition, the four were accused of offering money and food to voters in exchange for support.[9]
The same day he pleaded guilty, Hallum resigned his seat in the House and withdrew as a candidate in the 2012 election.[1]
Initial investigation
The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners sent monitors to observe the July 12, 2011, special election. The decision to send the monitor was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations made by Democratic primary candidate Kim Felker. Felker claimed that she received an offer to illegally obtain absentee votes, an offer she refused. Felker was defeated in the primary by eight votes, but lost the absentee vote 69-401. Felker also reported several alleged irregularities at the Turrel polling site. Hallum said that he observed no irregularities in the primary, but had no objection to the monitors. He also noted that the "offer," as recorded on Felker's answering machine, did not appear to offer anything illegal.[10][11] The man who left the message, Leroy Grant, said that he only intended to connect Felker with voters interested in voting for her.[12]
In addition, state Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Hallum for $50,000 in campaign expenses that were not itemized in the campaign's finance report. Hallum's campaign called the irregularity an "oversight" and said they sent the completed report as soon as they realized the mistake. The Hallum campaign said that the ethics complaint was simply a distraction.[12]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Hudson + Hallum + Arkansas + House
See also
- Arkansas State Legislature
- Arkansas House of Representatives
- Arkansas House Committees
- Arkansas state legislative districts
External links
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Facebook page
- WMCTV, "Hudson Hallum tackles issues in race for 54th District seat," March 4, 2011 (Candidate Profile)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The City Wire, "Arkansas legislator guilty of election fraud," September 5, 2012
- ↑ Arkansasmatters.com, "Arkansas State Rep. Fred Smith Resigns," January 26, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2012 Election candidates," March 8, 2012
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed December 20, 2013
- ↑ Arkansas Times, "Judge McGowan rules against ballot for Fred Smith," April 9, 2012
- ↑ WHBQ, "Former Rep Hallum still on the ballot," October 19, 2012
- ↑ WREG, "Candidate Wins After Late Court Ruling," November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012
- ↑ Today's TVH, "Hudson Hallum wins special election for E. Ark. House seat" July 12, 2011
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Republic, "Ark. state Rep. Hudson Hallum of Marion pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit election fraud," September 5, 2012
- ↑ Arkansas News, "Authorities investigating East Ark. primary, monitors requested," July 4, 2011
- ↑ Arkansas News, "State to send monitors to observe East Arkansas election," July 6, 2011
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 My FOX Memphis, "Arkansas Election Riddled with Controversy," July 12, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Fred Smith |
Arkansas House District 54 2011–September 5, 2012 |
Succeeded by NA |
