For Immediate Release 04/21/08

Group Questions Dustin McDaniel's Ability to Decide Fate of Illegal Immigration Ballot Initiative Due to Campaign Contributions

( Little Rock , Arkansas – April 21, 2008) Keep Arkansas Legal researched Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's campaign filings and found that over $36,000 has been contributed to him by individuals directly related to The Arkansas Friendship Coalition, a group opposed to Secure Arkansas' ballot initiative concerning state-funded benefits provided to illegal aliens. The head of the Arkansas Friendship Coalition, Steve Copley, said his group intends to fight the measure proposed by Secure Arkansas, according to the Associated Press.

"Our findings raise serious questions about the impartiality of our Attorney General since he has received over $36,000 from members of a group that is directly and actively opposed to a measure he is deciding on," said Kenny Wallis, President of Keep Arkansas Legal. "$36,000 is a lot of money by any standard in politics, and Arkansas law gives the Attorney General total control of the process of approving a ballot initiative for placement on the ballot." Wallis went on to say, " Arkansas voters deserve to know who might be influencing the Attorney General's decision on an issue as important as their right to vote on a ballot measure concerning illegal immigration. $36,000 is a lot of influence, and voters should know that."

Donors Directly Associated with the Friendship Coalition: Stephen Copley $250, 5/6/07; Archie Schaffer $500, 4/30/07; Tyson Foods $4,000, 6/27/06 & 5/11/07; Don Tyson $2,000, 4/30/07; John Tyson $2,000, 4/30/07; 4/30/07; Graham Catlett $4,000, 9/14/06 & 5/6/07; Catlett & Stodola $4,000, 9/14/06 & 5/6/07; Catlett Inc. $4,000, 9/14/06 & 5/6/07; Meredith Catlett $6,000, 7/24/06, 9/14/06 & 5/6/07; Catlett Tower Partnership $4,000, 7/24/06 & 9/14/06; Alltel State EMPAC $4,000; 7/6/06 & 5/4/2007; Ruth Shepherd $50, 3/3/07; Wharf Restaurant, (Cajun’s Wharf) owned by Mary Beth Ringgold $500, 9/14/06; H.R. (Randy) Wilbourn $1,000, 9/6/06 & 10/18/06. Total: $36,300

Donors Indirectly Associated with the Friendship Coalition that we could find: Better Roads PAC $4000, 5/21/2007, Debbie Hall, member of the Associated General Contractors with Tommy Fish; Construction Industry Leadership PAC $2000, 5/21/2007, Debbie Hall member; Arkansas Asphalt & Pavement $250, 5/6/07, Director Mark Lamberth is a past president of Associated General Contractors. Total: $6,250
Sources: Dustin McDaniel Campaign filing reports
www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/index.php

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/1492 ,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/1493 ,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/getPDF.php?id=614,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/getPDF.php?id=615,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/getPDF.php?id=616 ,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/getPDF.php?id=752 ,

http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/ce/getPDF.php?id=1389,

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For Additional Information Please Contact:
Kenny J. Wallis, President
KeepArkansasLegal.com
501-412-4063
KeepArkansasLegal@yahoo.com