A Benton County quorum court member changed parties recently-- leaving the Democrats and joining the Republicans. Tim Summers-- the last elected Benton County Democrat-- says he's thinking about running for a seat in the State House of Representatives-- and feels he has a better chance as a Republican. Summers says his decision to switch is something he's thought about for a while since he says his views tend to be more conservative. And although he's had success as a Democrat in Bentonville, if he runs for a seat in the state house, he says his district would carry some more conservative areas. "I feel with the make-up of the people in Benton County, this district particularly, that I can serve themselves and myself better by running as a republican." Benton County Democrats Chairman Barbara McCoy says Summers' decision surprised her. "If they change their mind, fine, but having one set of principles and then adopting another set seems strange to me." She says although they've lost Summers, the Democrats in the county are thriving. "This is a growing party and we are very active and have a good future I think." As for Summers, he says he enjoyed representing the Democrats over the years, but this is just a decision he had to make. "I am who I am and I intend to serve the people of Benton County, whatever their affiliation is and whoever they are. I just want to be of service to the people." Summers says he's formed an exploratory committee and will make a decision to run for the house seat next week.
