2008 campaign for state representative In 2008, Rice won the District 62 seat by defeating
Democrat Bill Walters of Greenwood, 5,610 (53.2%) to 4,937 (46.8%). Walters was the husband of
Shirley A. Walters a former Republican member of the
Arkansas State Senate. Both Rice's father and grandfather were Democratic members of the Arkansas House. Wilfred R. "Bud" Rice represented south
Sebastian and Scott counties from 1977 to 1995. Bud Rice's father, Worth Rice, served in the House representing Scott County from 1935 to 1939. Rice describes himself as "passionate in my belief that we cannot continue the status quo. We cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity. Government must become more efficient just as successful businesses have. ... I believe our faith, life and family values are the foundation of this great country and must stand before
political correctness." An anti-abortion legislator, Rice voted to ban
abortions after twenty weeks of gestation or whenever a "fetal heartbeat" is determined. He voted to declare the death of a
fetus a
felony in certain situations. Rice voted to allow university and college staff to
carry concealed weapons on campus to enhance security. He also voted to require picture identification for voting. Rice voted to allow the sale of
unpasteurized milk in Arkansas. He voted for a spending cap on state spending; this passed the House by two votes. In 2011, he voted to ban
cell phones in school zones for safety reasons. In 2013, Rice was defeated, 52-46, in a bid to become the first Republican
Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives since
Reconstruction by another Republican who had
Democratic support, attorney/banker
Davy Carter of
Cabot in
Lonoke County.
2014 campaign for state senate Rice was
term-limited and hence ineligible to seek a fourth two-year term in the House in 2014. Rice prevailed in the primary, receiving 3,457 votes (56%) to Holland's 2,710 (44%). ==References==