John Arthur Hammerschmidt doubtful of his entry into 3rd District race

John Arthur Hammerschmidt is considering a run as a Republican for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District, but says he’s not likely to enter the fray.

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 younger Hammerschmidt said in a Tuesday morning (Feb. 9) interview with The City Wire that he is “flattered by being mentioned,” but is not sure the timing or environment is right.

“I haven’t quite made up my mind as to what to do. I’m probably leaning toward not doing it,” John Arthur Hammerschmidt said, noting that “many fine people” are being mentioned as candidates in what he admitted was a somewhat chaotic election cycle. He’s uncomfortable with the compressed consideration time and “personal factors”

“This is probably not the right political climate,” he added.

Hammerschmidt said he expects to make a decision within seven to 10 days.

The 3rd District race was turned on its head when U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, announced he would not seek reelection to the 3rd District but would instead run for the U.S. Senate. Boozman, serving his fifth term in Congress, made official his Senate run on Feb. 6.

“John Boozman’s decision to run for that (U.S. Senate) was a surprise to a lot of us,” Hammerschmidt said.

Asa Hutchinson, who represented the 3rd District in Congress between 1996 and 2001, said Monday (Feb. 8) he would not enter the race. Rogers Mayor Steve Womack and Bernard Skoch have entered the 3rd District race. Other names mentioned as possible candidates include Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Springs and Dave Bisbee, Benton County Judge.

John Arthur’s father has provided answers to questions, but has not lobbied for a particular decision.

“He’s not been pushing me in that direction. Throughout my life, he’s encouraged me to make my own decision and that’s the case certainly in this decision,” John Arthur Hammerschmidt said of his father’s involvement.

If Hammerschmidt does enter the race he will do so with some interesting campaign experience in the 3rd District. In 1974, U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt sought reelection and faced a 28-year-old Bill Clinton in the general election. Congress was in session that year later than normal, which required John Arthur Hammerschmidt to stand in as a proxy at many campaign events. John Arthur, who was 25 at the time, said it was a memorable experience to attend many of the same events as the young Clinton.

Congressman Hammerschmidt narrowly won his reelection bid in 1974. Clinton went on to have a successful political career, also.