Nate Bell
Jerry Nathan Bell, known as Nate Bell (born July 17, 1969), is an Independent politician from Mena in the U.S. state of Arkansas, who served three two-year terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives. From 2013 to 2017, he represented District 20, which encompasses Polk and Montgomery counties. From 2011 to 2013, he was the representative for District 22. He was a Republican prior to 2015.
Nate Bell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| In office January 2013 – January 2017 | |
| Succeeded by | John Maddox |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 22nd district | |
| In office January 2011 – January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Abernathy |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Westerman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1969 Mena, Arkansas |
| Political party | Independent (2015–present) Republican (until 2015) |
| Residence(s) | Lincoln, Arkansas |
| Occupation | Real estate developer |
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 89th General Assembly, Bell served on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.[1]
In March 2015, Bell provided forceful support for fellow legislator Justin Harris during his rehoming (aka child abandonment) scandal.[4]
Voting history
Bell's voting includes:[5]
| Date | Bill number | Bill name | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20, 2013 | HB 1855 | Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as Nonpartisan | Yea |
| March 19, 2013 | HB 1819 | Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an Emergency | Yea |
| March 19, 2013 | SB 417 | Penalties for Violent Offenses Against Fetuses | Yea |
| March 13, 2013 | SB 2 | Requires Photo ID to Vote | Yea |
| March 12, 2013 | HB 1357 | Requires Municipal Special Elections to Be On Certain DaysFee | Yea |
| March 6, 2013 | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Yea |
| March 5, 2013 | HB 1041 | Establishes a Spending Cap on the State Budget | Yea |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Yea |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | SB 134 | Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat Detected | Yea |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Yea |
| Feb. 18, 2013 | HB 1295 | Establishes Tiered System for Lottery Scholarships | Yea |
| Feb. 15, 2013 | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Yea |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | HB 1037 | Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks | Yea |
| Feb. 4, 2013 | HB 1100 | Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance Exchange | Yea |
| April 12, 2011 | SB 972 | Congressional Redistricting | Yea |
| March 25, 2011 | HB 1958 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns In Places of Worship | Yea |
| March 25, 2011 | HB 1032 | Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts | Yea |
| March 23, 2011 | HB 2007 | Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English Only | Yea |
| March 21, 2011 | HB 1797 | Requires Proof of Identity to Vote | Yea |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | HB 1052 | Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities | Yea |
| Feb. 16, 2011 | HB 1002 | Capital Gains Reduction Act | Yea |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | HB 1115 | Absentee Mayor | Yea |
| March 29, 2011 | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Nay |
| March 17, 2011 | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Nay |
| Feb. 15, 2011 | SB 154 | Cell Phones in School Zones | Nay |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | HB 1013 | Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill Passed | Nay |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed | Nay |
| Jan. 31, 2011 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Nay |
| March 31, 2011 | HB 1226 | 2011-2012 State Insurance Department Budget | Abstained |
Controversies
Bell is nationally known for his polarizing and controversial commentary on social issues, including:
The Hitler incident
Bell received criticism for "misquoting" Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The quote was considered incorrect by those opposing Bell's political positions, nonetheless Bell stood by the quote.[6]
The abortion incident
Bell exchanged e-mails with an Arkansas resident living outside his district, regarding his stance on abortion.[7][8]
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?".[9][10]
Bell's remarks outraged many in Massachusetts, Arkansas, and throughout the country.[11] The Republican then Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Davy Carter, called the remark "inappropriate and insensitive." Then 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."[12]
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.[13]
Bell did not seek a fourth term in the state House in 2016. A Republican, John Maddox instead won the position. Bell still has ten years of eligibility in the state legislature should he decide to serve again.[14]
References
- "Nate Bell's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- "State Representative District 022 - Certified, 2010". sos.arkansas.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- "House District 20, 2012 election returns". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- Benjamin Hardy, "Rep Nate Bell Blasts Adoption Story Before Seeing It", The Arkansas Times,
- "Representative Jerry 'Nate' Nathan Bell's Voting Records".
- Brantley, Max. "Republican State Rep. Nate Bell quotes Hitler". ArkTimes.
- Mehta, Hemant. "Arkansas State Representative Tells Pro-Choice Mother She's a Murderer". Patheos.
- Bell's voting history in regards to Abortion Laws
- "Arkansas State Rep Sends Tactless Boston Tweet". Huffington Post. April 19, 2013.
- Miller, Lisa (April 19, 2013). "Nate Bell, Arkansas State Lawmaker, Sends Insensitive Tweet About 'Boston Liberals'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
- Carioli, Carly (April 19, 2013). "How many Bostonians are telling Arkansas state senator Nate Bell he's an idiot?". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013.
- Andrew DeMillo (April 19, 2013). "State Rep. Nate Bell Criticized for 'Boston Liberals' Tweet". Arkansas Business News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013.
- "Nate Bell, R-20". Archived from the original on 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
- "Rep. Nate Bell Won't Seek Re-election In 2016". Fort Smith/Fayetteville News | 5newsonline KFSM 5NEWS. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2018-02-11.