Preston Bynum

Preston Conrad Bynum (born June 8, 1939) is a lobbyist in Little Rock, Arkansas, who served as a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from January 1969 to December 1980.

Political career

Bynum was an automobile dealer in Siloam Springs, Arkansas when he was elected to the Arkansas legislature.^[1] Bynum succeeded fellow Republican Jim Sheets and became one of only four Republicans in the 100-member House^[2][3]

During his third term in the House from 1973 to 1974, Bynum was the only Republican in the chamber. In 1974, he announced that he would run for governor but withdrew,^[4] and the nomination went to Ken Coon.^[5] He eventually served as the senior Republican member and the minority party leader of the House.

Bynum did not seek reelection in 1980 but instead served as chief of staff to Governor Frank D. White after White switched his affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Bynum and House colleague Carolyn Pollan of Fort Smith prepared the state budget by retaining previous figures from the Bill Clinton administration but with 5 percent across-the-board cuts.^[6]

Lobbying

After leaving office, Bynum began a successful business and lobbying career. He represented a number of major Arkansas clients through his Phoenix Investment Group, Inc., of Little Rock.^[7] He is a member of the Association of General Contractors.^[8] He gained many clients, including the Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. NWACC president Becky Paneitz said that she "sought and received nothing but positive feedback" before the institution hired Bynum: "He is very well respected in the halls of the State Capitol, he is an effective lobbyist, and he will do a good job representing the college's interests."^[9] Bynum was named to the government affairs team of the interest group, the Arkansas Independent Automobile Dealers Association.^[10]

Former state senator Jim Keet described Bynum as “highly regarded and perceived to be a straight-shooter. He is a very knowledgeable advocate for the interests he represents and is respected among legislators almost universally."^[11]

Legal troubles

While employed as a lobbyist for the investment banking firm Stephens, Inc., Bynum was indicted for bribery in January 1995 by a federal grand jury. The U.S. government charged that Bynum paid Terry Duwayne Busbee, then a commissioner of the Utility Authority of Escambia County, Florida, to steer bond-underwriting business to Stephens, Inc. Two months later, Bynum pleaded guilty to a single count of bribery.^{[12] [13]}

Under a plea bargain, he was fined $25,000 and given a two-year federal prison sentence. He was further forbidden to represent clients in the securities business for the rest of his life.^[14] Bynum reported to federal prison in July 1995. In the fall of 1996, he was allowed to finish his sentence at the St. Francis House, a halfway facility in Little Rock. He was given use of his old offices at Stephens, Inc., to prepare for his future employment.^[15] He was released on July 1, 1998.^[16]

Upon release, Bynum resumed lobbying activities. He has been credited with obtaining the passage of legislation, approved by law enforcement in general, to make it legal for Arkansans to be in possession of knives used for self-defense.

Personal life

Bynum married the former Ann Bailey.^[17]

References