GOP Lt. Governor Primary Possibility: Sen. Rapert Vs. Rep. Collins

I reported last month that Lt. Governor Mark Darr is taking a look at running for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District in 2014 if incumbent Cong. Tom Cotton decides to run for the Senate against Sen. Mark Pryor.  Larry Henry with 5News/KNWA adds a bit to this speculation this week with a report that Darr has his house for sale and is likely moving to Hot Springs or Arkadelphia, where Darr went to college.

So it’s as good a time as any to take a look at which Republicans might jump into the race for Lt. Governor if the office is open.

Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway – as we reported in March – has expressed interest in the race.  Rapert was out front on several high profile issues this past session, most notably the 12-week abortion ban which restricts most abortions after the point when a heartbeat is detectable with an ultrasound.

“I appreciate the confidence you have in me.” wrote Rapert to supporters on Facebook encouraging him to run for Lt. Governor. “We began our public service in 2010, giving everything we have to represent our constituents and champion the values, principles and reforms that will make Arkansas one of the best places to live, work and raise a family in our nation. Our family will be in prayer about running for this office and seek direction on what the people of Arkansas would have us to do. Again, thank you for your confidence in me, it is humbling.”

A new name has also emerged recently that is looking at the seat. Sources confirm that Rep. Charlie Collins of Fayetteville is considering this race.  Collins was coy when I asked him about this the other day at a Saline County Tea Party meeting where Collins joined several state legislators who showed up to explain their votes on the private option. He said that a lot of pieces would have to fall in place before he could make this decision, but it seems likely that he will give the race serious consideration if Darr does indeed run for Congress.

One interesting note here is that both these candidates are solid conservatives who ended up voting for the private option.  Collins is often credited as the “numbers cruncher” in the House figuring out how the private option could mesh with the funding for an array of tax cuts, and Rapert’s support in the Senate helped bring the last few needed Republican votes on board.

More names could emerge, but if this office is open I would expect a primary for yet another statewide office.

It seems likely that 2014 will see a Republican primary for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Auditor.  The only other two constitutional offices have incumbent Republicans where Secretary of State Mark Martin and Land Commissioner John Thurston plan to seek re-election and are unlikely to face primary opponents.  Consider the turnaround from only four years ago when Republicans did not even field a candidate for half the constitutional races in 2010.