Embattled Republican candidate Bright loses key endorsement

Things are going from bad to worse for Stephen Bright, the Republican nominee to replace Rep. Brandon Achor (R- Maumelle) in House District 71.

On the heels of news that Bright has been accused of domestic violence by multiple wives, as well as accusations of inappropriate contact with his minor daughter and failure to pay child support, Achor has withdrawn his earlier endorsement of Bright. 

Bright is running against Democrat Cassandra Mayes. Earlier allegations that Bright engaged in years of voter fraud did not move the needle for Achor, but this week’s revelations prompted action.

In a press release posted to Facebook on Wednesday, Achor called on Bright to remove Achor’s endorsement from Bright’s campaign materials and “finish the race on his own merit.” Achor explained this was due to Bright’s lack of candor about his past when he was seeking Achor’s support earlier in the campaign. Achor wrote:

My constituents and patients trust my judgment and deserve clarity on these recent reports. I am a son, a brother to a sister, a husband, and a father to a five-year-old daughter, protecting women and families will always be a lifelong commitment for me.

Mr. Bright’s failure to disclose the full extent of his complicated personal history before seeking my endorsement is a matter he must address solely and directly. I have asked that he remove my public endorsement and finish his race on his own merit.

Achor, who has held the House District 71 seat since 2023, is in the middle of a tight campaign for state Senate District 13 against Democrat Allison Grigsby Sweatman. 

Regarding the accusations against Bright generally, Mayes provided the Arkansas Times with the following statement:

These are extremely serious allegations. Numerous court records, police reports, and even Stephen Bright’s own statements raise troubling questions that are simply too important to ignore. The public deserves transparency and accountability from anyone seeking public office. Stephen Bright owes voters a complete and forthright explanation of these matters.