Rep. Austin McCollum arrested on domestic battering charges; calls for resignation roll - Talk Business & Politics
Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the Republican candidate for Benton County Judge this fall, was arrested Saturday (Aug. 1) on charges of 3rd degree domestic battering, a class A misdemeanor. The Benton. . .
Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, the Republican candidate for Benton County Judge this fall, was arrested Saturday (Aug. 1) on charges of 3rd degree domestic battering, a class A misdemeanor. The Benton County Sheriff’s office also notes McCollum is charged with false imprisonment – 1st degree and aggravated assault on a family/household member. Benton County law enforcement said they would not release the police report until Monday and have offered no further specifics as to what McCollum may have done to get arrested. According to state law, domestic battering – 3rd degree charges can include:Purposefully causing physical injury;Recklessly causing physical injury;Negligently causing physical injury using a deadly weapon; orAdministering a drug or substance without consent to cause impairment, stupor, or unconsciousness. McCollum is in his 9th year in the Arkansas House of Representatives and served as House Majority Leader in 2020. He is the vice-chair of the House Education Committee and serves on the House Insurance and Commerce committee and Arkansas Legislative Council. McCollum is being challenged for Benton County Judge this November by independent Taylor Sizemore. Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville. The arrest led to a number of immediate reactions from Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Brian Evans, R-Cabot, and Gov. Sarah Sanders. “In light of the allegations and pending criminal charges against Representative McCollum, I am immediately removing him from all House leadership positions, including his committee vice-chairmanship, and stripping him of all House membership privileges and benefits associated with those positions,” said Evans. “Domestic violence is a serious offense that shatters families, harms victims, and erodes the trust that public servants are expected to uphold. Every allegation of abuse must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. I am praying for everyone affected by these events, especially the family involved, and that justice will be determined through the legal process,” added Evans. “My convictions against domestic violence are unwavering. I am calling on him to resign from the Arkansas House of Representatives or I will convene the House to take the necessary actions,” said Evans. “The allegations against Representative McCollum are appalling, and I’m praying for his wife and children,” said Gov. Sanders. “I absolutely condemn violence of any form, and if these credible, sickening allegations are accurate, I call on him to immediately resign his office and drop out of the race for county judge. ”“I am withdrawing my endorsement of Representative McCollum’s campaign for Benton County Judge, effective immediately. He should resign his seat in the House of Representatives and end his candidacy for County Judge,” said Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge. “The allegations against him are serious and disturbing. I have long held that there is no place for domestic violence in Arkansas. My concern is for those affected by his alleged actions. I am praying for his family, and I am confident that justice will be served. ”Related