Nate Bell

Jerry Nathan "Nate" Bell (born July 17, 1969) is a Republican politician from Mena in the U.S. state of Arkansas. He currently serving his second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Since 2013, he has represented District 20, which encompasses Polk and Montgomery counties. From 2011 to 2013, he was the representative for District 22.

Business career

Bell is founder and managing partner of Quad B Specialties, LLC, a licensed commercial and residential construction firm.^[1]

Early political career

Bell was elected constable of Potter Township in Polk County in 2004, 2006, and 2008.^[1]

General Assembly

In 2010, Bell defeated the Democrat Orvin Foster, 5,022 (60 percent) to 3,355 (40 percent) to win the District 22 seat vacated by the Democrat Bill Abernathy.^[2]

In 2012, Bell was switched to District 20, in which he defeated another Democrat, Lewis Diggs, 6,696 to 3,592. This seat was vacated by the Democrat, the term-limited Johnnie Roebuck.^[3]

In the current 89th General Assembly, Bell serves on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.^[1]

Voting history

Bell's voting includes:^[4]

In 2013, Bell voted 'Yea' on the following bills:

• * March 20, 2013 HB 1855 Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan
• * March 19, 2013 HB 1819 Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency
• * March 19, 2013 SB 417 Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses
• * March 13, 2013 SB 2 Requires Photo ID to Vote
• * March 12, 2013 HB 1357 Requires Municipal Special Elections to Be On Certain DaysFee
• * March 6, 2013 SB 134 Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected
• * March 5, 2013 HB 1041 Establishes a Spending Cap on the State Budget
• * Feb. 27, 2013 HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks
• * Feb. 21, 2013 SB 134 Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected
• * Feb. 21, 2013 HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks
• * Feb. 18, 2013 HB 1295 Establishes Tiered System for Lottery Scholarships
• * Feb. 15, 2013 HB 1243 Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun
• * Feb. 4, 2013 HB 1037 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks
• * Feb. 4, 2013 HB 1100 Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange

In 2011, Bell voted 'Yea' on the following bills:

• * April 12, 2011 SB 972 Congressional Redistricting
• * March 25, 2011 HB 1958 Authorizes Concealed Handguns In Places of Worship
• * March 25, 2011 HB 1032 Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts
• * March 23, 2011 HB 2007 Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only
• * March 21, 2011 HB 1797 Requires Proof of Identity to Vote
• * Feb. 16, 2011 HB 1052 Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities
• * Feb. 16, 2011 HB 1002 Capital Gains Reduction Act
• * Jan. 20, 2011 HB 1115 Absentee Mayor

In 2011 Bell voted 'Nay' on the following bills:

• * March 29, 2011 HB 1226 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget
• * March 17, 2011 HB 1936 Dress Codes for Public Schools
• * Feb. 15, 2011 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones
• * Feb. 7, 2011 HB 1013 Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed
• * Feb. 1, 2011 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed
• * Jan. 31, 2011 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones

In 2011, Bell abstained from voting on the following bill:

• March 31, 2011 HB 1226 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget

Controversies

Bell is nationally known for his controversial commentary on social issues, including:

The Hitler incident

Bell received criticism for miquoting Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The quote was ultimately incorrect and never appeared in the infamous text, nonetheless Bell stood by the quote.^[5]

The Abortion incident

Bell exchanged e-mails with an Arkansas resident living outside his district, regarding his stance on abortion.^[6][7]

Boston marathon bombing comments

In response to news reports of a lockdown in the Boston metropolitan area, on April 19, 2013 Bell tweeted, "I wonder how many Boston liberals spent the night cowering in their homes wishing they had an AR-15 with a hi-capacity magazine? #2A".^[8][9]

Bell's remarks outraged many in Massachusetts, Arkansas, and throughout the country.^[10] The Republican Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Davy Carter, called the remark "inappropriate and insensitive." Democratic minority leader Greg Leding of Fayetteville, said, "The people of Boston are not cowards. They are patriots. ... No one, including Representative Bell, should ever infer that the American people are anything other than courageous, and the only words we should be offering to the people of Boston are those of support and of prayer."^[11]

Personal life

Bell is involved in many community and civic organizations, including Rotary International, 4-H Clubs (volunteer leader), Poultry Partners, the National Rifle Association, and the Polk County Farm Bureau. He is also a member of LeadAR, the Western Arkansas Fire Rescue Association, and the Potter Volunteer Fire Department. Bell attends the non-denominational Grace Bible Church. Bell and his wife, Phyllis, have two daughters, Victoria and Hannah.^[12]

References