Arkansas Democrat Hallie Shoffner sparked outrage after declaring she would trade five Americans for a single illegal immigrant farm worker, arguing that foreign laborers outperform American workers.
During a recent appearance on the Free Arkansas podcast, Shoffner openly acknowledged the widespread use of illegal immigrant labor in agriculture, a practice long criticized by conservatives for undermining the rule of law and depressing wages for American workers, according to The Post Millennial. Every farmer will tell you, yeah. At one point, we did, or still do, employ undocumented immigrants, she told host Andy McNeill, describing what she portrayed as an open secret in the farming industry.
Shoffner went further, defending those in the country illegally and attacking enforcement efforts. It's absolutely ridiculous that these folks are being rounded up because they're hardworking people. They're some of the best people we know. And honestly, wed trade five Americans for just one of them because of how hard they work, she said, a remark likely to alienate voters who believe elected officials should prioritize American citizens.
She also questioned why there is not a broader legal channel for these workers, emphasizing their economic presence despite their unlawful status. And why is it that there's no pathway for them to work here legally when they're good workers? We pay them well. They spend money here. They have family here, she added, echoing the Biden administrations lenient rhetoric on immigration that many on the right blame for the ongoing border crisis.
Shoffner is challenging Republican Senator Tom Cotton in Arkansass upcoming general election, but polling suggests her campaign faces steep odds. A J.L. Partners survey from mid-August shows Cotton with a commanding 51 percent to Shoffners 35 percent, while Libertarian Jeff Wadlin garners 4 percent and 11 percent remain undecided.
Although Shoffner has tried to brand herself as a moderate Democrat, her record tells a different story to many conservative voters. She has drawn criticism for backing sweeping progressive priorities such as the Green New Deal and President Biden's so-called Inflation Reduction Act, a massive spending package that funneled billions into climate activism while Americans continue to grapple with high prices and economic uncertainty.
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