Bethanne Rankin For Congress
Circa 2010 -2011


 

This was the official website for BethAnee Rankin's campaign to become the Republican representative for the Arkansas 4th District. In 2010 she lost when running against the Democratic incumbent, Mike Ross. In 2012 Mike Ross retired so once again Beth Anne Rankin sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 4th Congressional District of Arkansas. She was defeated in the Republican primary on May 22, 2012. The former Miss Arkansas boasted a high name recognition because of her previous campaign, but there were other canidates running in the Republican primary, including Tom Cotton who eventually won not only the primary but also the seat to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 4th district.
Content is from the 2010 - 2011 archived pages as well as other sources.

Interested in what Beth Anne Rankin is doing now? GO to her current website at: www.bethannerankin.com/

 

“All my life, I have been taught the value of service, integrity, responsibility and living within your means. Like many Arkansans, I have been watching with great interest and deep disappointment the current direction of leadership in Washington, D.C."
Beth Anne Rankin

 



2010 Congressional candidate Beth Anne Rankin stops to give an update on where she's been lately and talks about how people are learning about Ross's Healthcare Hustle.

 

Beth Anne Rankin for Congress

I am running for the United States Congress to get America on the right track of fiscal responsibility and job creation.

With a national debt of $14.4 trillion, a recent extension of the debt ceiling by an astounding $2.4 trillion over the next 2 years, an unprecedented economic downgrade by Standard & Poors, and unemployment at over 9 percent, our country is facing an internal crisis of fiscal irresponsibility and frightening economic upheaval that threatens the fundamental strength of our nation.

As a small business owner, I want to see Washington unlock the harness on America’s entrepreneurs and get back on track to create more jobs.  I want to see a federal government that lives within its means. I want to see a Balanced Budget Amendment that will provide a secure and stable future. I want to see a government that respects the fact that it works for the people, and not the other way around.  When Washington gets out of the way, Americans are able to tap into their own God-given talent, creativity and inspiration to strengthen and sustain our economy for the future generations of America.

Having spent seven years in the Arkansas Governor’s Office, including serving as Governor Mike Huckabee’s Policy Advisor to Capitol Hill, the White House and the National Governors Association, I know that now more than ever we need representation in Washington that understands how to operate within its means, create more American jobs and keep taxes low.

 

 

About

Born in El Dorado and raised on the Rankin family farm in Magnolia, Arkansas, Beth Anne Rankin is a seventh-generation Arkansan who has lived in Arkansas for over forty years. She is an entrepreneur, small business owner, speaker, teacher, composer, performer, and former Policy Advisor for Governor Mike Huckabee to Capitol Hill, the White House, and the National Governors Association. An Honor Graduate of Magnolia High School, she attended Southern Arkansas University and Ouachita Baptist University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1994 with a double major in music and history and was selected the Outstanding Senior Woman as chosen by both faculty and students.

Following her year of service as Miss Arkansas 1994 when she was honored by the Arkansas House and Senate for conducting 158 school leadership programs across the state, Beth Anne was chosen to be a featured pianist as an ambassador for Arkansas with America’s Piano Showman, Dino Kartsonakis, in Branson, Missouri for one season.

In 1996 she joined the Arkansas Governor’s Office and worked with Governor Mike Huckabee for seven years, where she served in various capacities, including Policy Advisor & Director for State-Federal Affairs. Beth Anne worked as the policy advisor to Capitol Hill, the White House, the National Governors Association, Southern Governors Association, Council of State Governments and Southern Growth Policies Board. She coordinated the Governor’s Summit on Economic Development and chaired the state-wide initiative for the historical design of the Arkansas State Quarter, which led the nation in citizen participation.

In 2004, small business owner Beth Anne Rankin returned to her entrepreneurial roots by launching a full-time commitment to her teaching, speaking and music company, Beth Anne Productions, Inc., and she also serves as Vice-President of Rankin Land & Timber Inc., a family-owned timber company. She joined forces with 30-year Bible teacher Mary Camp to co-host “Scarlet Thread Conversations,” a Christian radio talk-show, and shared her message at events where she spoke and taught at women’s conferences.

Beth Anne has appeared on national television as a featured guest on Fox Business Channel’s “Dave Asman Show” as well as “Huckabee.” In her first campaign in 2010, she won the Republican Primary for United States Congress by carrying twenty-seven of the twenty-nine counties in the 4th District of Arkansas and was later officially endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life. She has served on the boards and/or committees of Arkansas Teen Challenge, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association. She is also a member of the international women’s education organization P.E.O., Magnolia Economic Development Corporation, Golden Triangle Economic Development Corporation, National Federation of Independent Business, the Family Readiness Group with her brothers’ unit of the Arkansas National Guard, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and an active, three-time volunteer donor with Locks of Love.

 

 

"I am a huge supporter and fan of Bethanne Rankin, along with my daughter who introduced me to her. We went to one of her rallies and while waiting to meet the candidate, met a campaign aid who was dressed in a Batman hoodie which was the same one my daughter Audrey was wearing. I was wearing a Batman sweatshirt. It's amazing what happens when Batman fans meet when they are true mavens. We compared notes and it seems they both got their Batman hoodies online from the same store, a pretty big coincidence considering how many Batman apparel shops there are. When Beth came over for a quick greeting the aid introduced us as "also Batman fans," implying that Beth was also in our club. Long story short, our Batman gear got us a personal chat with Beth who indeed is a Batman officianado. Of course, we support her for her policies and the Batman story is just icing on the cake, but it's one we'll remember forever. And although she lost this race, we reflect on one of the wisest Batman quotes "Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up."" Brittany Bishop

 



 



BethAnneRankin
Published on Oct 13, 2010

 



Issues

Road to Bankruptcy

Faced with a staggering $14.4 trillion national debt and an exploding national deficit eating up an estimated 40% of our federal budget, Americans are responding with a resounding voice saying “Enough!” The federal deficit this coming year (projected at $1.3 trillion, on top of a $1.6 trillion deficit last year) is putting our great nation on a “road to bankruptcy.”

It is projected by the Congressional Budget Office that over the coming decade, our federal government will add nearly $7 trillion to the federal debt. The leadership in Washington, D.C. acts as if they had a giant, unlimited credit card for which re-payments, penalty and interest never comes due. But it will come due. If we don’t address this reckless pattern of runaway government spending now, then the future of social security, medicare, national defense and other important obligations of the federal government will be threatened.

We are literally “passing the buck” to a future generation of Americans who will get stuck with the bill of this out-of-control spending. This is basic math and a basic message: “Don’t spend more than you make.” Individuals have to live by it. Families have to live by it. Businesses have to live by it. The state of Arkansas has to live by it. It’s time the federal government had to live by it. Americans are demanding that Congress lives within its means, and we can start by working toward a balanced budget.

National Security

The most important responsibility of our federal government is ensuring the national security of the United States of America. It is absolutely essential that America dedicates the resources necessary to be sure our armed forces are strong and our borders are secure. America faces enemies today who are dedicated to destroying our way of life, and we must be vigilant and determined in our defense of freedom and liberty. We will not apologize for being strong. We will not apologize for being prepared. And we will not apologize for treating a terrorist like a terrorist.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, I have witnessed the federal government adding regulation after regulation, tax after tax, and over-bearing paperwork burdens that seem to never end.

The free-enterprise system is the incredible economic engine that created the American economy and gave birth to the most powerful & generous nation on earth. It is absolutely essential for government to respect the magic of the free-market system. We must remember that government does not create jobs. Government’s proper role is to create an environment that fuels the creation of jobs by the private sector.
National Security

The most important responsibility of our federal government is ensuring the national security of the United States of America. It is absolutely essential that America dedicates the resources necessary to be sure our armed forces are strong and our borders are secure. America faces enemies today who are dedicated to destroying our way of life, and we must be vigilant and determined in our defense of freedom and liberty. We will not apologize for being strong. We will not apologize for being prepared. And we will not apologize for treating a terrorist like a terrorist.

Veterans

I have always loved and honored America’s veterans. The Armed Forces of the United States is a volunteer force. My own two brothers (Spc. John Rankin and 2nd Lt. Curtice Rankin, an Iraq War Veteran) serve in the Arkansas Army National Guard. Each and every member of the military who steps forward, accepts the mantle and responsibility of service and protects the American people needs to rest assured that the people of America will in turn support them both during their tours of duty and upon returning home.

Sanctity of Life

The right to life is a cherished, powerful issue that defines the moral fibre of a nation. A life-long pro-life advocate, I will continue to speak for the rights of the unborn to live.

Second Amendment

I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and a proud gun owner. The right to keep and bear arms by ordinary, law-abiding citizens is a fundamental component of our freedom as Americans. This constitutionally-protected right ensures Americans the ability to protect themselves and their families, and I will fight for the continued protection of this right for citizens.

Taxes

Taxes for your average American worker are simply too high. If our goal is to create more jobs and put more people to work, then let’s create an incentive to work by allowing workers to actually keep more of the money they earn. The tax structure is too complex, too complicated, too unfair and too punishing for the average American worker. The philosophy of punishing “work” by over-taxing the worker will eventually back-fire with catastrophic economic results. We cannot tax this nation into prosperity, and we cannot spend this nation into prosperity. We can, however, relieve the burden of bloated taxes and clear the way for the American entrepreneur to propel this nation into prosperity.

I was proud to be a member of the Huckabee Administration in Arkansas that led the charge to index our state’s income tax brackets to inflation, double the standard deduction, and eliminate the marriage penalty (Act 328).

Cap and Trade

Recently proposed “cap and trade” legislation is an improper approach to protecting our environment. It misses the mark. In short, this is nothing more than “buying and selling pollution,” a job-killing, thinly-veiled tax. This proposal would dramatically increase energy costs and damage the ability of Arkansas and the United States to compete internationally. This is just one more effort of the federal government to increase its control and expand the tax burden on the American citizen.

Card Check

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will take away the time-honored right to a secret ballot for American workers. This proposed legislation is bad news for Arkansas and bad news for America.

Energy

Comprehensive energy policy is a necessity for 21st century America. The U.S. must devote its efforts to an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy. America is abundant with the resources needed to supply the energy demands of her citizens, and it can be done safer, more efficiently and with much greater care toward the environment than in foreign entities. A concentrated effort must be undertaken to focus on both renewables and non-renewables as a comprehensive approach to supplying the energy needs of today.

Education

As a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and the daughter of a university economics & finance professor, I hold a strong and unwavering commitment to excellence in education at all levels. What I have discovered is that centrally-controlled, heavily-regulated “one-size-fits-all” models fail to achieve the levels of distinction and academic success that more locally-controlled, highly-customized approaches to education have attained.

I firmly believe that local control of education is essential, and I am an advocate for states, local communities, teachers and parents to have more direct control over their education systems. The mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 have taken more control out of state and local school districts and placed it in the hands of the federal government. While the premise behind NCLB is honorable, the law itself is not realistic and is in need of significant revision. I believe that more control should be given back to local communities to educate their future leaders. Public, private, magnet/specialty, charter and home schools all have a place in our state, and care givers should be able to choose which one is most appropriate for their child.

A strong supporter of arts education, I know from first-hand experience the accuracy of research showing that students who participate in the arts are more positive about their educational community, less likely to drop out of school, and have increased academic achievement.

When our grandparents used to say, “Get your education,” they did not mean “Do well on that test the government requires,” but they meant “Go to school every day, learn how to study, apply yourself, be respectful, learn all you can about your subjects, work hard, and show respect to your peers and your teachers in order to become well-educated and productive citizens.

My desire is that every student, regardless of their socioeconomic status, becomes part of a quality education system that meets their individual needs and encourages a curiosity and passion for learning. We must work harder to return control to the state and local level and support our educators to create an academic environment that develops students who choose to become lifelong learners.

Health Care

Our nation today has the finest health care in the world. People come from the world over to seek quality medical care at our hospitals and medical centers in the U.S. It is absolutely essential that we do not turn control of this vital medical system over to the federal government. The current health care “reform” is seriously flawed, and the real costs of Obamacare are almost impossible to determine.

Americans agree health care reform is needed, but there are ways to accomplish this task without transforming our system into socialized medicine. Four ideas include:

  • The ability to purchase health insurance across state lines.
  • Medical malpractice reform
  • Dollar-for-dollar tax credit for those workers who purchase their own insurance (reducing taxes $1.00 for every $1.00 spent on medical insurance).
  • Employee Insurance Portability

Immigration

It is absolutely imperative for America to secure her borders. The United States has always, and will always, welcome immigrants to this great land of opportunity and freedom. But we must stand firm to ensure that immigrants are entering this country legally. With an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in America today, the U.S. must make this a priority issue and enforce the laws that currently exist.

Limited Government

Our founding fathers devised a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” We have deviated far from that guiding principal. It is time we return to the notion that the federal government works for the people and not the other way around. We need to reduce the size and scope of the federal government to a responsible level, which the original designers intended.

We need to hearken back to the days when President Reagan supported the premise that government is not the solution, it is the problem. We need to limit Washington, DC’s control in our daily lives, and return it to a mechanism that is responsive to the needs of the people. The days of social experimentation are over, and we need to reform Washington, DC so that it acts under the direction of “we the people.”

Some will say that America is on the wrong track, however they are wrong. The federal government in Washington, DC is on the wrong track, and now is the time to reform Washington not America. If the federal government will get out of the way, Americans will be able to tap into their God-given talents and get America moving forward again.

 



Beth Anne pictured with National Committeewoman Reta Hamilton and Arkansas Federation of Republican Women president Julie Harris at a luncheon for Beth Anne in Hot Springs.

 



 

2011 PRESS RELEASES

Texarkana Announcement

Written by Campaign Admin on September 7, 2011

Beth Anne’s stop in Texarkana announcing her intention to run for US Congress in 2012.

 

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Beth Anne with members of her campaign staff in front of the Hot Springs Republican Campaign headquarters. Left is Allison Black, the campaign scheduler, and right is Jim Harris, director of communications

 

Beth Anne Selects Campaign Manager

Written by Campaign Admin on September 7, 2011

MAGNOLIA, AR – Fourth Congressional District candidate Beth Anne Rankin has selected Arkansas native Grant Wallace as her campaign manger.

Rankin, who is running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Representative Mike Ross, is a small business owner and seventh-generation south Arkansan who spent seven years working in the Governor’s Office for Gov. Mike Huckabee. She is vice president of Rankin Land and Timber.

“I’m pleased to bring Grant Wallace on board as my campaign manager. When I first hired Grant ten years ago in the Governor’s Office, I was impressed not only with his amazing work ethic, attention to detail and commitment to excellence but also with his incredible love for people and desire to truly serve the citizens of Arkansas. With his hands-on knowledge of both state and federal government, dedicated service to electing Republicans across the state, as well as a deep love for the state of Arkansas, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our campaign.” Rankin said.

Wallace graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1999. He received his bachelors’ degree from Texas Tech University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and was named the highest ranking graduate in his college.

Wallace worked for four years in the Arkansas governor’s office. Wallace worked with Rankin while she was Huckabee’s Policy Advisor for State-Federal Affairs and as the assistant director of the governor’s Washington, D.C. office. There he served as a liaison to the National Governors Association, Southern Governors Association, Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and the White House.

Before joining Rankin’s campaign, Wallace was field director of government relations and regional director of health initiatives for the American Cancer Society in Lubbock, Texas.

Wallace has previously managed a state representative race, served on the Pulaski County Republican Committee, Pulaski County Young Republicans, and State Republican Committee. He has been a Republican activists for Mike Huckabee for US Senate, Lt. Governor and Governor, Win Rockefeller for Lt. Governor, Tim Hutchinson for US Senate, and numerous other republican candidates for local and statewide offices.

“In this time of such uncertainty and lack of leadership in Washington, DC, we need Beth Anne’s conviction and passion to serve her fellow Arkansans representing us in Washington.  I look forward to a vigorous campaign, and helping elect a true Arkansas conservative as the next US Congresswoman for the Fourth District.”  Wallace said.

 

 

Beth Anne Announces Campaign Consultant

Written by Campaign Admin on September 20, 2011

Magnolia, AR- Fourth Congressional District candidate Beth Anne Rankin has selected Bob Wickers of Dresner Wickers Barber Sanders to serve as her campaign’s general consultant.

Rankin, a seventh generation south Arkansan, is a small business owner and vice-president of Rankin Land and Timber.  She served in the Governor’s office for Governor Mike Huckabee for seven years.  She is running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Representative Mike Ross.

Bob Wickers is one of the nation’s leading Republican political consultants.  Over the last two decades, he and his firm, Dresner Wickers Barber Sanders, have built a record of winning Republican primary and general elections in Arkansas – a record unmatched by any other GOP consultant.  A full service agency specializing in polling, strategic communication, media production and media placement, their Arkansas clients have included Governor Mike Huckabee, Lieutenant Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, and Congressman Jay Dickey.  In 2008, Bob Wickers served as media consultant and pollster for Governor Huckabee’s campaign for president.  His award-winning work in that race was featured by the  Wall Street Journal .  In addition to Beth Anne Rankin, their current clients include Governor Robert Bentley (AL), Congressman Trent Franks (AZ), and Attorney General Scott Pruitt (OK) to name a few.

“I welcome Bob and his firm, Dresner Wickers Barber and Sanders, on board as our campaign consultant. Their commitment to the individual candidate is well-respected, and I have long held in high regard their expertise and experience in the field. Above all else, as a people’s candidate, I was drawn to their character, integrity and the abiding principle of ‘victory with honor’” Rankin said.

 

 

Beth Anne Rankin Advances to 'On the Radar'

Written by Campaign Admin on October 1, 2011

Arkansas Republican Candidate Takes Second Step to Achieving ‘Young Gun’ Status

Washington — The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced Beth Anne Rankin as an ‘On the Radar’ candidate, the important second step in the ‘Young Guns’ program. Founded during the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ‘Young Guns’ program is a Member-driven effort that is the primary method for recruiting strong candidates for both open-seat and challenger races. Rankin is running for Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District.

“We look forward to working with Beth Anne Rankin, who has already proven herself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position her campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Beth Anne Rankin’s dedication and experience enables her to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama-Pelosi record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Arkansas families and small businesses know has failed.”

Beth Anne Rankin is a seventh-generation Arkansan who has lived in Arkansas for over forty years. She is an entrepreneur, small business owner, speaker, teacher, composer, performer and former Policy Advisor for Governor Mike Huckabee to Capitol Hill, the White House and the National Governors Association. Rankin was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in the fourth district in 2010. After she coordinated the Governor’s Summit on Economic Development under Huckabee, Beth Anne Rankin returned to her entrepreneurial roots by launching a full-time commitment to her teaching, speaking and music company, Beth Anne Productions, Inc., and she also serves as Vice-President of Rankin Land & Timber Inc., a family-owned timber company.

 

 

Rankin Campaign Off to Strong Start in First Month

Written by Beth Anne Rankin on October 6, 2011

Magnolia, AR- Beth Anne Rankin will submit her quarterly FEC report this week, and exceeded expectations by raising over $170,000 in the first month of her campaign.  Showing her broad-based, grassroots support, she had donors from each of the 33 counties in the newly drawn Fourth Congressional district.  The report will also show an astounding amount of over 400 donors.  Ninety-one percent of her donors were from Arkansas, with 81 percent from within the Fourth District.  Additionally, 61 percent of the donations were under $100.

“I am overwhelmed and tremendously grateful for the swift and incredible outpouring of grassroots support from all thirty-three counties in the Fourth District. To have donors in all 33 counties within 33 days of the start of our campaign is absolutely amazing, and I am so grateful for everyone who invested in our efforts and wants to get America moving forward again.  The supporters of our campaign recognize the importance of launching a strong and well-funded organization.  Our message of getting back to the basics of a smaller federal government guided by Constitutional principles is resonating with citizens all across the Fourth District.  It’s time Washington, DC understood that it needs to get out of the private sector and let the free enterprise system get this economy roaring again,” Rankin said.

Beth Anne Rankin is a seventh generation south Arkansan, who owns a small business.  She served in the Governor’s Office for Governor Mike Huckabee for seven years.  Rankin is also the vice president of Rankin Land and Timber, her family operated business.  Beth Anne is a member of the NFIB and a Life Member of the NRA.  She is running for the congressional seat being vacated by US Representative Mike Ross.

 

 


BethanneRankinForCongress.com