The opening invocation by state Sen. Jason Rapert set the tone for the evening, invoking God and the event’s namesake President Abraham Lincoln comparing the Dobbs decision and Arkansas’ subsequent response to ban nearly all abortions to the abolition of slavery.
Expected to run as a presidential candidate in 2024, the Dardanelle native and U.S. Army veteran currently sits on the Senate Armed Services, Intelligence and Judiciary committees.
Sanders, whose speech seemed polished and calm, drew attention to her role as former White House secretary for President Donald Trump, while a spirited Rutledge delivered an unrefined speech focused on her experience as the state’s attorney general.
Both Arkansas gubernatorial candidates Sarah Sanders and Leslie Rutledge will appear on the same stage for the first time during this campaign cycle as headline speakers.
