Sen. Lincoln vows support for I-49

The office of U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., responded to a recent article in The City Wire in which it was suggested Lincoln tie her reelection to the funding of Interstate 49 through western Arkansas.

In this article, it was noted by Washington lobbyist David Olive that the business and civic leaders of western Arkansas actively support Lincoln’s 2010 reelection bid for the U.S. Senate if she actively supports I-49 funding.

Recent poll numbers suggest that Lincoln, up for re-election in the 2010 Congressional mid-term elections, is vulnerable if a strong Republican candidate emerges. That “vulnerability” could be the primary driver in gaining funding for I-49.
 
“In other words, lay the gauntlet down that this will be the No. 1 campaign issue in western Arkansas. If Sen. Lincoln is serious about making inroads into Republican western Arkansas, then she should deliver on I-49,” Olive explained.

Lincoln’s office responded with this short statement:
“Senator Lincoln believes full development of I-49 is important to all of Arkansas. She has consistently fought for I-49 funding and will continue to work with local leaders to pursue funding for the project.”