By Janie Ginocchio

Princella Smith

Princella Smith is a Wynne native and has served as a communications director on Capitol Hill.

DP: As you talk to voters in Northeast Arkansas, what is the common theme you’re seeing as far as the issues they’re concerned about?

PS: The common theme is accountability and integrity. There’s a spirit of distrust of government. They’re very disappointed in officials who go to Washington and forget their home base. The economy — it’s always been about the economy — energy, immigration, agriculture and health care.

DP: What are your ideas on stabilizing the economy and creating jobs?

PS: Pass legislation that enables the free market to run its course, that doesn’t put a burden on small business and allows banks to loan small businesses money to create jobs. Any overreaching legislation like the financial reform bill, cap-and-trade, health care are not small business friendly. The majority of people in Arkansas are employed by small businesses.

Illegal immigration has to be stemmed. Too many blue-collar jobs are being taken by illegal immigrants.

DP: Do you support a repeal of the new health care legislation?

PS: I would amend it. It’s a horrible piece of legislation — it’s far too overreaching. It stifles the health care system, It doesn’t speak to the real problems, like tort reform. We have to protect our doctors from frivolous lawsuits.

DP: Is there anything else you want to voters to know about you?

PS: I would like them to know education will be at the top of the list. I have a great concern about Arkansas’ 28 percent high school dropout rate. We have to have an educated workforce — businesses won’t be able to hire Arkansans when necessary. I’m one of the few candidates to talk about education.