Fort Smith area Republicans sound off on Boozman ‘dynamics’

There are mixed emotions about the likely entry of U.S. Rep. John Boozman into the GOP primary for U.S. Senate among at least three current and former office-holding Republicans in the Fort Smith/Van Buren area.

It’s widely expected that Boozman, a Republican from Rogers now in his fifth term as Arkansas’ 3rd District Congressman, will announce Saturday he is entering the race for U.S. Senate. The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m., Feb. 6, in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the State Capitol Building in Little Rock. Boozman will then travel to his Lowell campaign office for a 4:30 p.m. meeting. On Feb. 7 (Sunday), Boozman will be in Fort Smith at a 2:30 p.m. event at Sweet Bay Coffee (3400 Rogers Ave.) near Creekmore Park.

Boozman had initially declined to seek the Senate seat, but paltry poll numbers for incumbent U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and the victory by Scott Brown in the election for the Massachusetts Senate seat long-held by Ted Kennedy sparked the recruitment of Boozman to enter the race.

There is an undercurrent of frustration in the GOP ranks with Boozman’s relatively last-minute plunge into a GOP primary already packed with nine announced candidates.

Part of that sentiment was expressed by Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, who said he likes Boozman but has already made a commitment to one of the other GOP candidates.

“As far as I can determine Congressman Boozman does plan to enter the race later this week. He is polling great against Sen Lincoln but so are some other already announced candidates,” Green said in an e-mail Q&A with The City Wire. “I have committed to support State Sen. Gilbert Baker (R-Conway) and I will keep my word in that support as long as State Senator Baker remains a viable candidate.”

Green has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 3rd District race that will open when Boozman officially makes his move.

Jim Medley, a former State Representative from Fort Smith and now a candidate for the Arkansas Senate seat representing Fort Smith, said Boozman has “performed admirably” in Congress and would make an “outstanding” U.S. Senator.

But …

“However, we Republicans already have nine other candidates who have been spending their time and money campaigning. The candidates also have hundreds of volunteers committed to helping them,” Medley told The City Wire. “With Senator Lincoln’s poll numbers so low, I don’t believe bringing out our (Republican) Congressman to run for U.S. Senate is necessary to win in November.”

Jake Files, also a former State Representative from Fort Smith and now a candidate for the Arkansas Senate seat representing Fort Smith, acknowledged some of the internal frustrations in the GOP, but said in so many words that GOP candidates will have to focus more on campaigning than complaining.

“Boozman’s decision to enter the race dramatically changes the dynamics and also creates the additional opening in the 3rd District. He will be a force in the Senate primary because of his name recognition, experience and ability to raise money,” Files explained. “I believe you will see some of the lower-tier candidates drop out or switch to other races, which will be good for the party and good for the state.”

Continuing, Files noted: “The other dynamic is that it will change the political strategy of those candidates who stay in the race. Competing against a recognized brand such as Boozman will be much different than trying to distinguish yourself in a field of relative unknowns.”

As to the opening of the 3rd District race, Medley was not shy in stating his preference.

“I would strongly encourage former Congressman Asa Hutchinson to consider entering the Third Congressional District race. Republicans and Arkansas voters in general need conservative leadership in Washington D.C.,” Medley said.

Files and Green didn’t offer thoughts on the 3rd District race, but did provide more analysis of the U.S. Senate race.

“Regardless of the opponent, a well-funded Sen. Lincoln will have a difficult campaign because of her continued support of Obama’s unpopular policies, and her perceived lack of attention to every-day Arkansans,” Files said.

Green said he hopes Boozman isn’t counting on the Republican stronghold of Northwest Arkansas to carry the day.

“I don’t believe any Republican candidate for the U.S. senate can win statewide with just the (Northwest Arkansas) vote. It will take a qualified candidate that can appeal to voters state-wide. I hope Republican voters will carefully consider that in deciding our primary winner,” Green said.