[1]WASHINGTON (BP)–Sen. Tim Hutchinson, a conservative Republican from Arkansas and a member of a Southern Baptist church until recently, has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 29 years.
Hutchinson, a two-term member of the House of Representatives before his election to the Senate in 1996, has been reported by Baptist Press during his Washington political career to be a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark. Hutchinson, however, has not been a member of Immanuel since the first of the year, a Southern Baptist source in Arkansas told BP June 30. There was no answer at the church June 30 when telephone calls were made to ask about Hutchinson’s membership.
He is an ordained minister, but his ordination was not by a Southern Baptist church, the source said.
Hutchinson has been married to his wife, Donna, since August 1970, according to a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The couple has three sons. None are minors, according to the paper.
The senator’s office announced June 29 he was filing divorce papers the same day. In a three-paragraph written statement, he said, “There have been tremendous strains on our marriage during the past few years and we sought extensive counseling prior to taking this action.”
Hutchinson has campaigned as a defender of family values and has become known in Congress for his pro-family, pro-life positions. The senator’s Internet website describes him as a “dedicated advocate for American families.” He also has been a leader in the Senate in an attempt to hold China accountable for its persecution of religious adherents and for its coercive abortion policy.
In his statement, Hutchinson spoke highly of his wife and said this was painful for his family.
“She has been a dedicated wife and committed mother for these many years,” he said. “My three sons could not have a more devoted mom. She has been a valued partner in many joint efforts over the years and has been an important political counselor and supporter.
“I love my sons deeply. Because this is a personal matter and because of my concern for my sons, I intend to have no further comment on the action taken today.”
The Little Rock paper said the senator listed no grounds for divorce in his suit. It was filed in Benton County, according to the Democrat-Gazette. The Hutchinsons live in Bentonville, which is in the northwest part of the state.
Hutchinson is the first Republican to be elected to the Senate by the voters of Arkansas. He served eight years as a representative in the Arkansas legislature before being elected to Congress in 1992.
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