I thought state Rep. Duncan Baird’s superior qualifications guaranteed his nomination as the Republican candidate for state treasurer. I was wrong. Dennis “What We Need Is Another 9/11” Milligan won the nomination handily, demonstrating a strong campaign and solid statewide ties.

Political skills are one thing. Thinly veiled political blackmail on top of bad judgment — that’s Milligan’s record — are wholly other things.

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So attention turns to the Democratic candidate for state treasurer, Karen Sealy Garcia. She is a strong candidate if she can build an organization to match her resume.

She’s politically adept, a nonpartisan city director in Hot Springs, where politics can be wild.

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She holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration. She’s been a licensed CPA for 30 years. She worked 26 years for a Fortune 500 company, Weyerhaeuser, in high management positions overseeing multmillion-dollar budgets. She’s known in her hometown for her integrity.

You’ll want to give her a serious look. I think some Republicans — admirers of Baird and not admirers of Milligan’s ethics or his propensity to pop off on social media — might cross over in this race. Or so they were saying last night. But this race is less about political insiders and more about who votes. Who pays much attention to a race for treasurer?

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This year, it matters. Heck, it always matters. Remember Martha Shoffner?

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