DeLay may enter crowded GOP 3rd District race

Fort Smith attorney Gunner DeLay may soon enter the GOP primary for the 3rd Congressional District.

“We’re giving very serious consideration to it,” DeLay told The City Wire, adding that an announcement may happen as soon as Thursday.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, is leaving the House seat for a U.S. Senate run against U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. The prospects of not facing an incumbent is luring many to what could be a crowded field of contenders in the GOP primary.

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack, Bernard Skoch of Elkins, former state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers, Steve Lowry of Springdale and Boone County Judge Mike Moore have entered the race as Republicans. David Whitaker, former assistant city attorney for Fayetteville has announced as a Democrat for the 3rd District seat.

State Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Spring, Benton County Judge David Bisbee, State Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, and Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, have expressed an interest in the 3rd District seat. However, sources tell The City Wire that Altes, Barnett and Green are not likely to enter what is becoming a crowded primary.

“I’ve kept Denny in the loop so he knows what is going on. I don’t know what he will eventually do,” DeLay said Monday.

DeLay is no stranger to politics or the 3rd District. He and Boozman were part of a four-person GOP primary in the 2001 special election to replace Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson was appointed by Pres. George W. Bush as director of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The election placed DeLay second behind Boozman.

DeLay also was elected to represent Fort Smith in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1995 to 1998, and in the Arkansas Senate from 1999 to 2003. DeLay lost to Dustin McDaniel in the 2006 general election race for Arkansas Attorney General.

DeLay was appointed in late November 2006 to an interim term as prosecuting attorney for the 12th Judicial District. DeLay replaced Steve Tabor who was appointed to circuit judge.

How can a Republican from the Fort Smith region capture the GOP primary?

“This is going to be a sprint … Name ID is going to be big,” DeLay said. “This is a wide open race, probably more wide open than it’s been in 40 years.”

DeLay said winning will also require an experienced campaign staff and the ability to “raise a decent sum of money in a short period of time.” DeLay defined a decent sum as between $200,000 and $250,000.

DeLay was not willing to discuss his reasons for considering the race or discuss a campaign message if he does decide to enter.