Little Rock Ward 2 candidate files ethics complaint over opponent’s campaign website

Complaint alleges website implies official endorsements

A candidate in Little Rock’s Ward 2 city director race filed a complaint with the Arkansas Ethics Commission this week, saying an opponent’s campaign website uses organizational logos in a way that may mislead voters and risk the tax-exempt status of local institutions.

Michael Hernandez, 30, who is one of several people seeking the Ward 2 seat in the Nov. 3 election, submitted the complaint against the Rev. Dwight Townsend, according to an unsigned copy of the document Hernandez shared with reporters. The filing centers on a page of Townsend’s site labeled "Meet Dr. Townsend," which lists five logos alongside biographical information.

In addition to the logo for Longley Baptist Church, where Townsend is the senior pastor, the page displays logos for Chicot Elementary, Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock, Sims Bar-B-Que and Imprenta Printing. Hernandez’s complaint argues the arrangement looks like a roll of official endorsements because there is no disclaimer clarifying the logos are presented for biographical context.

"Because there is no disclaimer explaining that these are strictly biographical, it looks exactly like a list of official endorsements," Hernandez wrote in the complaint. "As you may know, public schools and 501c3 organizations are legally prohibited from endorsing candidates, meaning this setup is highly misleading to voters and potentially jeopardizes the tax-exempt status of those groups."

Ethics Commission response and campaign silence

Jill Barham, interim director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that complaints are confidential while pending, and she declined to provide a copy. Townsend’s campaign did not respond to an email request for comment, and a voicemail to a phone number listed on a campaign finance filing was not returned.

Local stakes and context for Ward 2 voters

The Ward 2 contest includes other candidates besides Hernandez and Townsend. Voters in the ward live in a southern portion of Little Rock that includes neighborhoods around Scott Hamilton Drive, Geyer Springs Road and Baseline Road. The winner will serve on the Little Rock Board of Directors, which is composed of the mayor and 10 elected city directors — seven representing wards and three elected at-large.

• Complaint filed by: Michael Hernandez
• Respondent: Rev. Dwight Townsend
• Alleged issue: Use of organizational logos without disclaimer, implying endorsements
• Election date: Nov. 3

What this means for voters and local organizations

Hernandez’s filing raises two closely related concerns: the accuracy of campaign communications and the involvement of local institutions in political campaigns. Public schools and many nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)s) are restricted from endorsing candidates. If voters interpret a campaign page as showing endorsements from such entities, that could misinform choices at the ballot box and prompt scrutiny of the organizations named.

City residents and community groups often rely on clear distinctions between personal biography and organizational support. When campaign pages use visual cues — such as placing logos together — without explanation, the result can be confusion among voters and potential legal exposure for nonprofits and public institutions.

Next steps and timing

The Ethics Commission’s procedures mean any review will proceed under confidentiality rules until the panel determines whether to open a formal inquiry or take other action. Meanwhile, the Ward 2 campaign season continues toward the November election.

As Little Rock voters consider candidates for the Board of Directors, clarity about campaign materials helps ensure informed choices. Residents in Ward 2 and citywide will be watching how the Ethics Commission addresses the complaint and whether campaigns adjust their communications ahead of the election.