Uh…it’s probably noteworthy, given the closeness of the race overall, that Glen Schwarz is not eligible to run for or hold the office he’s seeking according to his own admission in today’s Dem-Gaz story on the Little Rock mayoral race. https://t.co/5tH5THfelK pic.twitter.com/zHyvox03Nc
— Blue H🎃g Report (@BlueHogReport) October 23, 2022
Blue Hog Report argues in this thread that Glen Schwarz, a candidate for Little Rock mayor, isn’t eligible to run because of a past marijuana conviction. He told the Democrat-Gazette that the conviction was expunged in 2010. A state law passed since then says expungement for certain crimes doesn’t restore the ability to seek public office. The precise charge wasn’t listed in the article and the state court records system doesn’t reflect it, based on a search I just did. But with an expungement that could be expected.
This Democrat-Gazette article in 2010 when Schwarz ran for mayor recounts that he pleaded guilty in 1995 to felony possession of a controlled substance — a pound of marijuana — and delivery of a controlled substance, as well as maintaining a drug premises and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to five years’ probation and a judge expunged his record earlier this year so he could hold office if elected.
The issue today: Any votes counted for Schwarz, not considered a serious candidate, COULD have an impact on whether a candidate gets the necessary 40 percent vote required to be elected without a runoff. Mayor Frank Scott Jr., Steve Landers and Greg Henderson are also seeking the seat.
Will someone go to court to challenge the counting of votes for Schwarz? Early voting begins tomorrow. Votes will be counted Nov. 8
A D-G search also showed a 1995 article further underscoring his conviction of a felony.
It said he faced a penalty range of four to 36 years in prison if he had been convicted by a jury, but accepted five years of probation and a $500 fine, though he acknowledged the loss of his right to vote. . A story in Saturday’s edition gave an incorrect penalty range. Five years’ probation and a $500 fine, he can take. But losing his right to vote –and to be elected –is another matter altogether.
“I’m a convicted felon, but I’m free,” he said hours after Pulaski County Circuit Judge John Langston accepted his guilty plea and handed down the probation and fine on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug premises and possession of drug paraphernalia. His attorney, Kent Krause, said Schwarz also could have faced up to $70,000 in fines.
The article quoted Schwarz further, “The penalties don’t hurt as badly as losing my citizenship. Of course, I’ll continue my citizen activism.”
