Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is under fire for buying a $19,000 lectern with a state credit card and later reimbursing it with Republican Party funds, amid questions about the timing and legality of the transaction.
The lectern, which is made of walnut wood and has a custom seal of the governor of Arkansas, a microphone, a speaker, a power strip and a USB port, was purchased in June from a company owned by Sanders’ former campaign manager, Chad Gallagher.
According to ABC News, the words “to be reimbursed” were only added to the original invoice after the reimbursement, which took place in September, raising questions about when the plan to use party funds was made.
State Sen. Joyce Elliott, a Democrat who requested an audit of the lectern’s purchase, said she was concerned about the use of state funds for personal or political purposes.
“I think it’s important that we have transparency and accountability in government, and I think this is an opportunity to do that,” Elliott said.
Sanders, who is widely seen as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has defended the purchase and said she welcomes the audit, but also dismissed it as a distraction.
“This is nothing more than political theater. I welcome any audit or review of this purchase because I have nothing to hide,” Sanders said in a statement.
She also said that the lectern was intended to be used for official events and that the Republican Party agreed to reimburse the state for it.
“The lectern was purchased with state funds with the intention of being reimbursed by the Republican Party of Arkansas. This was done to expedite the process of getting the lectern in time for an event,” said Doyle Webb, the chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas.
However, some critics have questioned the need for such an expensive lectern and whether it was appropriate for Sanders to buy it from her former campaign manager.
“I did not make any money off this deal. I charged them what it cost me to get it here and set it up,” Gallagher said, adding that the price was fair for a custom-made piece of furniture.
Sanders’ spokesman, J.R. Davis, also defended the lectern and said it was a long-term investment for the governor’s office.
“It’s not just a lectern. It’s a piece of furniture that’s going to be in the governor’s office for decades,” Davis said.
A legislative panel will vote on Wednesday on whether to approve Elliott’s request for an audit, which could lead to further scrutiny of Sanders’ spending habits and ethics.
Relevant articles:
– Scrutiny of Arkansas governor’s $19,000 lectern deepens after new records are released, ABC News, October 10, 2023
– New emails intensify need for ‘full blown audit’ into Arkansas gov’s $19,000 lectern: report, MSN, October 11, 2023
– Sarah Huckabee Sanders Under Fire Over $19k Lectern, Calls For Audit Grow, MSN, October 9, 2023
– A $19,000 lectern for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sparks call for legislative audit, AP News, October 4, 2023