Nate Bell


Jerry Nathan Bell, known as Nate Bell, is an Independent politician from Mena in the U.S. state of Arkansas, who served three two-year terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives. From 2013 to 2017, he represented District 20, which encompasses Polk and Montgomery counties. From 2011 to 2013, he was the representative for District 22. He was a Republican prior to 2015.

Business career

Bell is founder and managing partner of Quad B Specialties, LLC, a licensed commercial and residential construction firm.

Early political career

Bell was elected constable of Potter Township in Polk County in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

General Assembly

In 2010, Bell defeated the Democrat
Orvin Foster, 5,022 to 3,355 to win the District 22 seat vacated by the Democrat Bill Abernathy.
In 2012, Bell was switched to District 20, in which he defeated another Democrat, Lewis Diggs, 6,696 to 3,592. This seat was vacated by the Democrat, the term-limited Johnnie Roebuck.
In the 89th General Assembly, Bell served on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.
In March 2015, Bell provided forceful support for fellow legislator Justin Harris during his rehoming scandal.

Voting history

Bell's voting includes:
DateBill numberBill nameVote
March 20, 2013HB 1855Classifies the Office of Prosecuting Attorney as NonpartisanYea
March 19, 2013HB 1819Prohibits Governor from Regulating Firearms in an EmergencyYea
March 19, 2013SB 417Penalties for Violent Offenses Against FetusesYea
March 13, 2013SB 2Requires Photo ID to VoteYea
March 12, 2013HB 1357Requires Municipal Special Elections to Be On Certain DaysFeeYea
March 6, 2013SB 134Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat DetectedYea
March 5, 2013HB 1041Establishes a Spending Cap on the State BudgetYea
Feb. 27, 2013HB 1037Prohibits Abortions After 20 WeeksYea
Feb. 21, 2013SB 134Prohibits Abortion if Fetal Heartbeat DetectedYea
Feb. 21, 2013HB 1037Prohibits Abortions After 20 WeeksYea
Feb. 18, 2013HB 1295Establishes Tiered System for Lottery ScholarshipsYea
Feb. 15, 2013HB 1243Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed HandgunYea
Feb. 4, 2013HB 1037Prohibits Abortions After 20 WeeksYea
Feb. 4, 2013HB 1100Prohibits Abortion Coverage on the State Health Insurance ExchangeYea
April 12, 2011SB 972Congressional RedistrictingYea
March 25, 2011HB 1958Authorizes Concealed Handguns In Places of WorshipYea
March 25, 2011HB 1032Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School DistrictsYea
March 23, 2011HB 2007Requires Driver's License Exams to be in English OnlyYea
March 21, 2011HB 1797Requires Proof of Identity to VoteYea
Feb. 16, 2011HB 1052Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer UtilitiesYea
Feb. 16, 2011HB 1002Capital Gains Reduction ActYea
Jan. 20, 2011HB 1115Absentee MayorYea
March 29, 2011HB 12262011-2012 State Insurance Department BudgetNay
March 17, 2011HB 1936Dress Codes for Public SchoolsNay
Feb. 15, 2011SB 154Cell Phones in School ZonesNay
Feb. 7, 2011HB 1013Hiring of Unauthorized Workers Bill PassedNay
Feb. 1, 2011HB 1049Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill PassedNay
Jan. 31, 2011HB 1049Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School ZonesNay
March 31, 2011HB 12262011-2012 State Insurance Department BudgetAbstained

Controversies

Bell is nationally known for his polarizing and controversial commentary on social issues, including:

The Hitler incident

Bell received criticism for "misquoting" Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The quote was considered incorrect by those opposing Bell's political positions, nonetheless Bell stood by the quote.

The abortion incident

Bell exchanged e-mails with an Arkansas resident living outside his district, regarding his stance on abortion.

Boston Marathon bombing comments

In response to news reports of a lockdown in the Boston metropolitan area, on April 19, 2013, Bell tweeted, "I wonder how many Boston liberals spent the night cowering in their homes wishing they had an AR-15 with a hi-capacity magazine?".
Bell's remarks outraged many in Massachusetts, Arkansas, and throughout the country. The Republican then Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Davy Carter, called the remark "inappropriate and insensitive." Then Democratic minority leader Greg Leding of Fayetteville, said, "The people of Boston are not cowards. They are patriots.... No one, including Representative Bell, should ever infer that the American people are anything other than courageous, and the only words we should be offering to the people of Boston are those of support and of prayer."

King-Lee Day

In the 2015 legislative session, Bell joined with the African-American Democrat Charles Blake of Little Rock in an unsuccessful effort to sever Martin Luther King Day and the Robert E. Lee holiday, which are both observed in Arkansas on the third Monday of January. Bell proposed that Lee's holiday be transferred to November 30, a "Southern Heritage Day" to correspond with the birthday of a Confederate States Army general from eastern Arkansas, Patrick Cleburne, who was killed in the American Civil War in Franklin, Tennessee. Only two citizens spoke in a public hearing on the Blake-Bell measure; twenty-four signed to speak in opposition. Alabama and Mississippi also observe a combined King-Lee Day. Representative Trevor Drown of Dover said that Arkansas should remain unique on the issue and not copy the majority of states because "it's our heritage."

Personal life

Bell is involved in many community and civic organizations, including Rotary International, 4-H Clubs, Poultry Partners, the National Rifle Association, and the Polk County Farm Bureau. He is also a member of LeadAR, the Western Arkansas Fire Rescue Association, and the Potter Volunteer Fire Department. Bell attends the non-denominational Grace Bible Church. Bell and his wife, Phyllis, have two daughters, Victoria and Hannah.
Bell did not seek a fourth term in the state House in 2016. A Republican, John Maddox instead won the position. Bell still has ten years of eligibility in the state legislature should he decide to serve again.