A race for a seat in the Arkansas House has taken on biblical proportions as a contender’s campaign mailing offers a one-word description of the incumbent: “Judas!”

Democrat Mark Haroda’s mailing against incumbent Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, levels the turncoat charge over Pennartz’s support of raising gas and electric rates. The black-and-white handbill shows a photograph of Pennartz smiling, with the headline “Judas! Betrayed With A Kiss.”

“When I first looked at this I thought, ‘Judas, my goodness.’” voter Alma Scott told Fort Smith television station KFSM. “I believe this trash should be burnt.”

Haroda said he sent the mailing out because it “captures the essence of what she (Pennartz) did.” The incumbent legislator disagreed.

“I was elected to serve the people of District 65 and they’re always in the foremost of my thoughts,” Pennartz said.

Arkansas’ primary election for legislative seats is set for Tuesday.

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Information from: KFSM-TV, http://www.kfsm.com/