Hammerschmidt will not seek 3rd District bid (Updated)

Not everyone is running or the 3rd Congressional District seat.

John Arthur Hammerschmidt tells The City Wire he has decided against entering the race. Hammerschmidt said in early February he was considering the race but was uncomfortable with the compressed consideration time. He also mentioned “personal factors” as a reason he would likely stay out of the race.

“This is probably not the right political climate,” Hammerschmidt said Feb. 9.

Updated info: Hammerschmidt also said he will not endorse a candidate during the primary election cycle. Former 3rd District Congressman Asa Hutchinson announced Monday he would endorse State. Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers.

Hammerschmidt is the son of former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, R-Harrison, who served for 26 years as the 3rd District Congressman. Congressman Hammerschmidt was the first Arkansas Republican in Congress since Reconstruction.

The 3rd District seat opened up when U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, abandoned his bid for 3rd District re-election to enter the GOP primary race for a chance to unseat U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.

The GOP primary for the 3rd District now includes:
• State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers;
• Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith;
• Steve Lowry of Springdale
• Kurt Maddox of Gravette
• Boone County Judge Mike Moore;
• Bernard Skoch of Elkins; and,
• Rogers Mayor Steve Womack.

Also rumored to be considering the race on the GOP side are State Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, State Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Spring, Benton County Judge David Bisbee, and State Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren.

David Whitaker, former assistant city attorney for Fayetteville, is the lone Democrat to enter the race.

Jerry Coon of Rogers has announced he will run as an Independent.

The filing period for all Arkansas political offices is March 1-8.