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Conner Eldridge
American politician (born 1977) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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William Conner Eldridge Jr. (born September 9, 1977) is an American lawyer and former federal prosecutor. He served as the United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas from 2010 to 2015. In 2016, he was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate election in Arkansas.[1]
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Personal life and education
Eldridge was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1977.[2] He spent twelve years in Augusta, Arkansas before moving to Lonoke, Arkansas, where he worked on his family's farm.[3]
He attended Lonoke High School and later earned a bachelor's degree from Davidson College in 1999. In 2003, he received a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the Law Review.[4]
Eldridge is married to Mary Elizabeth Whipple, and they have three children.[5] He is the son-in-law of Ross Whipple, former owner of Summit Bank.[6]
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Career
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Between 1999 and 2004, Eldridge worked in various government and legal roles. He served as a legislative correspondent for Senator Blanche Lincoln, a legislative assistant for Congressman Marion Berry, and later as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Eisele.[7] During his legislative tenure, his focus included agricultural policy.[3]
In 2005, Eldridge became president of Summit Bank in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, later joining the board of directors in 2006.[8] He served as corporate executive vice president and senior counsel from 2006 to 2008, and as chief executive officer from 2008 until 2010.[9] He was also appointed special deputy prosecutor for Clark County, Arkansas, in 2009.
United States Attorney
Eldridge was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas in 2010.[4] During his tenure, his office prosecuted cases involving financial fraud, drug trafficking, and crimes against children.[10] In 2014, his office prosecuted former real estate developer Brandon Barber, who was sentenced to over five years in prison for bank fraud and money laundering.[11]
Child protection efforts
As U.S. Attorney, Eldridge’s office prosecuted over 100 individuals on charges related to child abuse and exploitation, including transporting minors for illegal purposes and producing or possessing child pornography.[12][13][14]
In 2014, Eldridge launched the A-Chance program (Arkansas Cultivating Healthy Attitudes and Nurturing Children to Excel) to support children exposed to violence or trauma in the home. The initiative allowed law enforcement to notify school personnel when students had experienced domestic disturbances, enabling educators to provide additional support.[15]
Operation Crystal Clear
In 2011, the FBI and local law enforcement initiated an investigation into drug trafficking activity in Columbia County, Arkansas, known as "Operation Crystal Clear." The case centered on Jamie B. Martin, who was later identified as a regional supplier of methamphetamine. The investigation included intercepted communications, controlled purchases, and led to the seizure of narcotics, firearms, and currency.[16]
Martin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and, in April 2015, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.[17] The broader investigation resulted in the indictment of 24 individuals on drug-related charges.
Hate crime prosecution
In 2010, Eldridge’s office prosecuted Frank Maybee and Sean Popejoy in connection with a racially motivated assault on five Hispanic men in Green Forest, Arkansas. The incident involved the defendants using racial slurs, pursuing the victims by vehicle, and intentionally causing a car crash that resulted in serious injuries.[18]
The case was one of the first prosecuted under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Maybee was convicted on multiple counts of committing and conspiring to commit a federal hate crime and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Popejoy received a 4-year sentence.[19] Eldridge cited the case as an example of the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting bias-motivated violence.
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U.S. Senate campaign
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In 2015, Eldridge announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, running as the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican John Boozman.[20] His campaign emphasized bipartisanship and government accountability.[21] He cited public frustration with political gridlock in Washington as a central reason for entering the race.[10]
Political positions
During the campaign, Eldridge outlined priorities including job creation, education, and reducing the national debt. He criticized the federal deficit and stated that national debt had significantly increased during his opponent's time in office.[22]
Drawing on his background as a U.S. Attorney, Eldridge proposed legislation to increase penalties for individuals convicted of sexually abusing children or producing child pornography. His proposal included lifetime prison sentences for certain offenses.[23]
Eldridge also addressed firearm policy, supporting enforcement of existing laws while advocating for measures to prevent access to guns by individuals with criminal records, mental health concerns, or ties to terrorism. He expressed support for the Second Amendment and opposed federal overreach in gun regulation.[24]
References
External links
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