Kurt Maddox enters crowded field for 3rd District race

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 201 views 

Kurt Maddox of Gravette is the sixth announced candidate for the 3rd District Congressional race.

Maddox founded and operates MDX Group, a real estate and janitorial service company. He is entering a Republican primary that now includes 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. David Whitaker, former assistant city attorney for Fayetteville has announced as a Democrat for the 3rd District seat.

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. Boozman, who is in his fifth term as the 3rd District Congressman announced late into the election cycle his Senate plans, leaving a scramble by several to enter the 3rd District race.

“I’m running as a citizen legislator who will work to restore our freedoms and who will fight to defend our Constitution. I’m running because I love America, and I believe it’s time to sound the distress signal,” Maddox noted in his announcement statement. “I’m a Christian Conservative first and a Republican second because I believe that the labels of a party shouldn’t come before one’s principles. I intend to prove to you that my good conscience is worth sending to Washington on your behalf.”

Maddox earned a bachelor’s degree in finance, and bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries and a master’s in leadership and ethics from John Brown University. He lives in Gravette with his wife, Dawn, and their six children, Austin, Sydney, Andrew, Macy, Tessa, and Janie.

Other possible contenders in the race include Gunner DeLay, a Fort Smith attorney who unsuccessfully bid for the 3rd District seat in 2001 and lost in the 2006 general election race for Arkansas Attorney General. DeLay is expected to issue a statement Monday (Feb. 22) about his intentions.

State Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, and Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, have also expressed an interest in the 3rd District seat.