Lynch at Large

Stop the presses! Now, this is some steaming hot political news, and I can not make this kind of stuff up on my own.

The following press release has come to my attention.

Drew Pritt, Democrat, who became the first openly gay person to seek
statewide office in Arkansas when ran for Lt. Governor earlier this year,
says he is ready to return to the stump in a bid for the U.S. Senate.

"Mark Pryor is someone I have supported in the past, but I cannot support
his votes or his decisions of who to support as of late," said Pritt.
"This is a fundamental contest between a true blue Democrat such as myself
and someone who does not vote as a Democrat but runs with the party label
to get elected."

He is a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose. He also is firmly
against the War in Iraq and supports turning over the handling of Iraq to
either the U.N. or preferably the Arab League. Pritt also is a strong
supporter of the State of Israel and says if elected Senator he will
always vote for the best interests of the State of Israel.

He also says he supports retired General Wesley K. Clark unequivocally for
President in 2008. Pritt was a member of Clark's Campaign Staff in 2004
and is a financial supporter of Clark's PAC, Securing America.

Pritt says Pryor's decisions to vote as he did with the "Gang of 14" the
group of centrist Senators who joined together to avoid a Senate
rule-change over judicial nominees was the beginning of his break with
Pryor. But Pritt says Pryor's support recently to allow torture of
prisoners and also his decision to support Joe Lieberman over the
Democratic nominee Ned Lamont are chief reasons for his decision to break
with Pryor.

He also recognizes the financial challenge this bid will take and thats
why he is starting his challenge early.

"I have sent off the paperwork to the FEC formally setting up a Federal
PAC to raise money for a challenge," said Pritt. "Senator Pryor has a half
a million advantage on me currently but money is not everything."

Pritt says there is no personal animosity between himself and Pryor,
however he feels Arkansas is better served with a U.S. Senator who votes
more on principle like a Dale Bumpers or a J. William Fulbright or even a
David Pryor.

He also says an initial sounding with some Democrats around the state give
him encouragement that his primary challenge to Pryor will be more than a
symbolic or gadfly bid.

"Lets be honest for a minute," said Pritt. "I realize I am challenging the
scion of one of the most popular and successful political families in
Arkansas. I am challenging an incumbent who so far has half a million more
dollars than I have in the bank. But when you strip that away and get down
to the root, does Arkansas want a Senator who compromises with an
administration that spent our nation's surplus, appoints activist judges,
and seeks to destroy the Bill of Rights all in the name of political
partnership and compromise? I think the answer come 2008 will be a
resounding no."

Pritt compares Pryor's support of Lieberman to his own support of Bill
Halter.

"Anyone who knows me, knows I disagree and dislike Bill Halter," says
Pritt. "But the fact remains, right or wrong, Bill Halter won the
Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor and I will support Bill Halter come
November 7th."

Pritt says he will be doing a few things in the coming weeks but is
focused on helping to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. He is also
advising and campaigning strongly for Bill Walker for Mayor of Little
Rock.

"Mike Beebe and Bill Walker are two Democrats I proudly stand beside and
will strongly work the next two weeks to elect," said Pritt.

Pritt is an avid sportsman; enjoying hunting and fishing. He also loves
baseball, cooking, and reading. He currently resides in Little Rock where
he is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. He is a member of
the Chi Phi Fraternity, the Lions Club, the Arkansas Democratic Party,
Stonewall Democrats, the Arkansas Black Democratic Caucus, the Arkansas
Hispanic Democratic Caucus, the National Cathedral Association, the
National Rifle Association, and Diamond State Rodeo Association.

>From 2005-2006 he was a Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor. Though
largely outspent by all his Democratic primary opponents, Pritt garnered
more earned media than four of his opponents combined. Pritt also broke a
barrier in Arkansas by becoming the first member of the Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender Communities to seek statewide office.

His website from his bid for Lt. Governor is still up at
http://www.DrewPritt.com/