Jim Bob Duggar, whose extended family appeared on the reality show “19 Children and Counting,” is running for a seat in the Arkansas Senate.
Duggar, who previously served in the state House of Representatives announced Friday on the family’s Facebook page that he will run for the district in Northwest Arkansas that includes Springdale.
Last week, Republican State Senator Lance Eads resigned from his position to work in the private sector. A special election will be called to cover the period.
The TLC channel pulled the show “19 Children and Counting” in 2015 over revelations that one of Duggar’s sons, Josh, sexually abused four of his sisters and a babysitter. His parents said he confessed to the groping and apologized. Josh Duggar also apologized for his addiction to porn and cheating on his wife.
Josh Duggar will go to trial in federal court in November for downloading and possessing child pornography. He faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $ 250,000 for each count if convicted.
Chad Gallagher, a former family spokesman, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that no family “is immune to tragedy, heartbreak or the impact of the decisions of their loved ones.”
Jim Bob Duggar, who was born and raised in Springdale, and his wife Michelle now have 20 children and 22 grandchildren.
“Now more than ever, we need a bold voice that is pro-family, pro-business, pro-gun and pro-life,” Duggar said in the ad. “It is time for conservatives to demand courageous leadership that puts Arkansas families, jobs and our constitutional freedoms first.”
This is Duggar’s second contest for the district. In 2006, he was defeated in the Republican primaries.
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