Rankin To Announce For Congress Next Monday (updated)

Last year’s GOP nominee for the Fourth District Congressional seat is back in.

Talk Business has learned that former Gov. Mike Huckabee staffer Beth Anne Rankin will announce her bid for the Republican nomination in 2012 next Monday, August 29th at 9:00 am at the RayLynn Theater in Hot Springs.

Garland Co. supporters forwarded details of the planned event to Talk Business this afternoon.

Rankin confirms to Talk Business her plans to announce next week. She says that details are still being finalized in other areas of the district, but she expects to make announcement stops in Hot Springs, Texarkana, Magnolia and El Dorado – county seats for four counties she carried in last year’s general election.

"I’m very excited. I’ve been spending a lot of time with supporters and we’re ready," said Rankin.

In 2010, Rankin challenged incumbent Rep. Mike Ross (D), but lost by nearly 18 points in a year when Republicans took 3 open Congressional seats in Arkansas. Ross announced he would not seek re-election to the office last month.

Republicans Tom Cotton of Dardanelle (Yell Co.) and Marcus Richmond of Harvey (Scott Co.) have both declared intentions to run for the Fourth District seat. No Democrats have formally announced.

Talk Business will update this post on Tuesday when more announcement details are confirmed.