Rep. Jon Hubbard accuses Democrats of "Nazi tactics"

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A Jonesboro representative calls the governor and the attorney general part of a "Nazi style political intimidation" against himself and two other Republicans.

It's just the latest in a series of recent comments made by Rep. Jon Hubbard (R-Jonesboro), many of which come from his 2009 book on immigration, education and slavery that sparked state and national controversy.

He opened his letter with the following:

"Does all of this political propaganda being put out by Gov. Mike Beebe, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and others remind you, even a little bit, of how Hitler took control of the minds of the German people in the 1930s?"

That's how Hubbard responds to criticism of his book, "Letters to the Editor", which includes quotes like, "slavery might just have been a blessing in disguise."

Beebe told FOX16 on Thursday Hubbard's writings speak for themselves.

"Now he blames others and me for problems he's got in this regard," Beebe says. "We didn't write those letters, we didn't write that book but it's easy for him to blame others. What did he call me? A Nazi?"

Hubbard also accuses Democrats of "Nazi style political intimidation" by pressuring a Batesville restaurant to cancel a fundraiser for another Republican in hot water, former representative and current candidate Charlie Fuqua, who wrote he supports the death penalty for disobedient children.

Bryan's Grill owner Brian Tripp told FOX16 that statement isn't true.

"No one pressured me, it was my decision. I don't want my business getting mixed up in religion or politics. I'm a conservative Republican, but that (Fuqua's writings) was just way too extreme."

Tripp added the fundraiser was reserved under another name and said he was disappointed organizers were not upfront about who the event was for.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel described Hubbard's latest statements to Jonesboro Sun as "nonsensical."

"Certainly my hometown does not in any way embrace the sentiments that are reflected by what the representative says," McDaniel says.

It remains to be seen if any of the controversy will affect voters when they go to the polls November 6th.

Beebe went further Thursday hinting Hubbard's statements could actually harm Jonesboro business prospects.

"Every time this kind of stuff hits in places where people make decisions about where to go, this kind of publicity is very bad and has a chilling effect on economic development," Beebe says.

Repeated calls and emails to Hubbard seeking comment were not returned Thursday.