LITTLE ROCK—Gwatzilla has invaded Denver.
In a quirky tribute to slain Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney, members of Arkansas’ delegation to the Democratic National Convention are donning a button featuring “Gwatzilla,” in honor of the large, inflatable dragon that Gwatney displayed at his car dealerships.
Party leaders decided that the button would be a fitting way to honor Gwatney, who was shot dead at the state party headquarters Aug. 13. The gunman, Timothy Dale Johnson, was shot and killed by police after leading them on a 30-mile car chase.
The button shows a red, white and blue Godzilla-esque figure standing in front of an outline of the state, with the name “Gwatzilla” in yellow letters.
“Shortly after the tragedy, people starting talking about a way to honor him and that’s what they came up with,” party spokeswoman Darinda Sharp said.
Gwatney was dubbed by some in the Legislature as “Gwatzilla” because of the inflatable dinosaur at his dealership. To play along with the nickname, he kept a toy Godzilla on his desk at the state Senate.
Sharp said the button is being distributed to the nearly 200 delegates, alternates and guests the state has sent to the convention, which began Monday.
Rebecca Gwatney, the slain chairman’s widow, was elected last week by the state’s 47 delegates to fill her husband’s spot at the convention. Like her husband, she will be considered a superdelegate at the convention.
The party has not selected someone to replace Gwatney and the party’s vice chairman is required to call a meeting of the state committee within 60 days of the vacancy. Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat who served in the Senate with Gwatney, has said that choosing a replacement would likely take several weeks and that doesn’t plan to recommend one before this week’s convention.
