Jay Dickey - Political Career

Political Career

Dickey, beating Secretary of State William J. "Bill" McCuen, described as a "scandal-plagued Democratic nominee", was elected United States Representative for the Fourth District of Arkansas—the first Republican to be elected to the seat—on November 3, 1992. He was re-elected three times, and served on the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, and five of its subcommittees: Agriculture, National Security, Energy and Water, Transportation and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Dickey achieved notoriety when he insisted to media that there were no homosexuals in his district. He also responded to a question from Spy Magazine about "ethnic cleansing in Freedonia"—a fictional country—by blaming then-President Clinton.

The outspoken, controversial, and conservative Dickey saw his popularity decline in his overall moderate district. In 2000, he lost in his reelection campaign to the Democratic candidate Mike Ross in a close race. House Speaker Dennis Hastert came into the district in a bid to save Dickey's seat, while President Bill Clinton poured massive resources into the contest on behalf of Ross.

Dickey opposed Ross in 2002 in an attempt to return to his seat, but he was defeated, 60-40 percent.