New State Rep. fined in ethics case

Former Hughes mayor cited for failure to file timely paperwork

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Arkansas District 63 Rep. Lincoln Barnett (D-Hughes) agreed to pay a $1,000 _ne last month and has received a public letter of caution from the Arkansas Ethics Commission following an ethics complaint regarding late campaign _nance _lings, according to commission records.

The investigation into Barnett’s campaign _nance records began on August 6, when he was noti_ed of concerns regarding his pre-election report for the primary runoff election, his April monthly report, and his _nal report for the runoff. On October 2, the Ethics Commission expanded its inquiry to include his October, November, and December 2023 monthly reports, as well as his pre-election and _nal reports for the primary election and his May and August monthly reports.

The Arkansas Ethics Commission determined that Barnett, a Democrat from Hughes who also previously served as the city’s mayor, violated Arkansas Code 7-6-232(c) and 7-6-207 by failing to _le multiple campaign _nance and expenditure reports on time during the 2024 election cycle.

According to the settlement, Barnett failed to submit a delinquent campaign and expenditure report within 30 days of the original deadline, despite receiving three written notices. The _nal overdue report in question was for the Primary Runoff Election. In addition, Barnett was cited for missing several other required _lings throughout the election cycle.

Despite these infractions, Barnett successfully won the House District 63 seat. He defeated fellow Democrat Fred Leonard in a primary runoff before securing a victory against Republican Tammi Northcutt Bell in the general election. The seat was previously held by Rep. Deborah Ferguson (D-West Memphis).

BARNETT