Westerman's aide explains Democrats' exclusion at event

HOT SPRINGS -- The Democratic Party of Garland County says its members were denied entry into an event U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman held in Hot Springs Village on Thursday, even though many had preregistered for it, but a spokesman for the congressman said it was a private event.

"This was a private campaign event, paid for with campaign dollars, and that is separate from anything that we do in the official office," spokesman Ryan Saylor said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. Saylor said the campaign was within its rights to only admit people who were supporters of the congressman.

"When the congressman holds an official event with taxpayer dollars, those are open to the public, and these individuals have participated in these events; they have been to a Coffee with the Congressman in Hot Springs Village and spoken with the congressman about their concerns," Saylor said.

"I thought that we had a very cordial conversation, and they were able to express their views [at the earlier event], and the congressman was able to provide his view," Saylor added. "He listened to them, and they listened to him. But for them to claim that they were denied entry into an event, and for them to claim they've been denied access to the congressman, that's just an unfair categorization."

Read more: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/may/15/westerman-s-aide-explains-democrats-exc/