Changes

'''James Lee Sheets''', known as '''Jim Sheets''' (born March 29, 1931), is a retired businessman from Bella Vista, [[Arkansas]], who is a [[Republican]] former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. From 1967 to 1968, Sheets represented Benton County for a single term.  

'''James Lee Sheets''', known as '''Jim Sheets''' (born March 29, 1931), is a retired businessman from Bella Vista, [[Arkansas]], who is a [[Republican]] former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. From 1967 to 1968, Sheets represented Benton County for a single term.  

He is the first member of his party in the 20th century to have been sent to the legislature from Benton County, located in the far northwestern portion of the state. In time, Benton County became the GOP’s banner county in Arkansas.<ref>Benton County, Arkansas, is not traditionally Republican; prior to 1950, the GOP for decades had controlled at the local level neighboring Searcy and Newton counties in northwestern Arkansas. Newton County, however, voted in 1964 for Orval Faubus over Winthrop Rockefeller.</ref>Sheets did not seek reelection because of the time required away from his employment as public relations director of his alma mater, the Christian-affiliated John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.<ref name=statement>Statement of James Lee Sheets, Bella Vista, Arkansas, June 2009</ref> At the time, evangelicals had not yet organized politically to become a vital cog of the Republican voter base, as many were still active in the [[Democratic Party]].

He is the first member of his party in the 20th century to have been sent to the legislature from Benton County, located in the far northwestern portion of the state. In time, Benton County became the GOP’s banner county in Arkansas.<ref>Benton County, Arkansas, is not traditionally Republican; prior to 1950, the GOP for decades had controlled at the local level neighboring Searcy and Newton counties in northwestern Arkansas. Newton County, however, voted in 1964 for Orval Faubus over Winthrop Rockefeller.</ref>Sheets did not seek reelection because of the time required away from his employment as public relations director of his alma mater, the Christian-affiliated John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.<ref name=statement>Statement of James Lee Sheets, Bella Vista, Arkansas, June 2009, based on interview with Billy Hathorn, the author of the article.</ref> At the time, evangelicals had not yet organized politically to become a vital cog of the Republican voter base, as many were still active in the [[Democratic Party]].