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Jim Bob Duggar runs for Arkansas state Senate amid son's trial, trolls slam 'audacity'

Duggar's son Josh was recently indicted for receiving and possessing child pornography

Jim Bob Duggar of “19 and Counting” took to social media to announce his plans to run for the Arkansas State Senate. “Jim Bob Duggar announces he will run for Arkansas State Senate District 7, which includes Springdale, Johnson, Goshen and Elkins in eastern Washington County. Jim Bob previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives for four years (1999-2002),” reads a press release posted to the Duggar family’s official Facebook page. “Jim Bob previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives for four years (1999-2002).

"Jim Bob was born and raised in Springdale, attended Springdale Public Schools and graduated from Shiloh Christian High School. At 18 Jim Bob acquired his real estate license and went on to become a successful commercial real estate investor," the release added. "He married his high school sweetheart Michelle Ruark Duggar 37 years ago and they went on to have 20 children and have been blessed with 22 grandchildren so far."

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“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Arkansas State Senate District 7. Northwest Arkansas is my lifelong home. It’s where my wife, Michelle, and I have raised our 20 children,” the 56-year-old was quoted as saying. "It’s where we’ve grown our small businesses. It’s where we’ve built a life centered around our faith, family, and friends.”

Detailing why he is looking to occupy the seat, reality star Duggar said, "I’m running for State Senate because these are unprecedented times in our nation. Out-of-control bureaucrats have put politics over common-sense policy with government mandates that force people to choose between earning a paycheck and violating their personal rights and beliefs. The foundational principles that have made our nation great are under threat like never before." 

“Now more than ever, we need a bold voice that is pro-family, pro-business, pro-gun and pro-life. “It’s time for conservatives to demand courageous leadership that puts Arkansas families, jobs, and our constitutional liberties first. I look forward to being your voice in the Arkansas State Senate," he added. 

What is social media saying?

Social media users took to Twitter after Duggar's announcement, many expressing their disappointment with the update as Duggar's son Josh was recently indicted for receiving and possessing child pornography. Prosecutors said that Josh Duggar obtained the images in May 2019. The federal grand jury's indictment accused Duggar of having "knowingly" received pornographic images of children under the age of 12. Duggar was booked following his arrest. "Jim Bob Duggar running for his state senate while his son is on trial for NUMEROUS child exploitation charges is a type of audacity I have never seen before," one user wrote on Twitter. "I am slackjawed by Jim Bob Duggar's announcement that he is running for political office mere days before his son's trial for child pron happens. How is it possible to be that completely devoid of normal appropriate behavior?? #JimBobDuggar," another user said, while another wrote, "GOP Trump = Your pedophile son Josh is charged with possessing a video showing the rape of an 18-month old girl, ranked among the “top five worst of the worst” that the investigator ever had to examine, but you think it's a great time to run for office".

"Jim Bob Duggar really just announced a run for the Arkansas state legislature while his eldest son is about to be tried for obtaining and sharing CSA. The last time he ran, he said child molesters should be given the death penalty. Someone should ask if he still feels that way," one user wrote, and another said, "These people are really infecting children like this is bizarre. When, in my home state, an actual predator is running for a state house seat. Guess what it's Republican and rape apologist Jim Bob Duggar - father of Josh Duggar, incestuous rapist". "Jim Bob Duggar, who has covered up his son's crimes for years, has decided now is a good time to run for Senate. Josh's trial starts soon & JB is spinning things to make it look like Josh is innocent. Why won't that man (both actually) go away?!?" wrote one user.