Womack: No quid pro quo with possible Maddox mayoral race (Updated)

Kurt Maddox, the only candidate in the GOP primary for the 3rd Congressional District to endorse Rogers Mayor Steve Womack, is investigating the possibility of running for the Rogers Mayor seat.

Maddox said in the press release issued Friday (July 30) afternoon he is forming a campaign committee for the mayoral race but “stopped short of making his candidacy official pending the legal formation of the committee.”

In early June, Maddox found himself in an endorsement battle between supporters of Womack and State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers. Maddox endorsed Womack, while other GOP also-rans Gunner DeLay, Steve Lowry and Doug Matayo endorsed Bledsoe. Womack won the 3rd District GOP primary after surviving an 8-person primary and a tight runoff against Sen. Cecile Bledsoe of Rogers. In the runoff, Womack captured 18,290 votes (52%) and Bledsoe received 17,048 votes.

A press release issued Friday afternoon by Maddox includes a quote from Womack noting: "We need more business leaders like Kurt in our political community.”

But don’t, according to Womack, believe that a deal was made with Maddox or that he will issue an endorsement in the mayoral race.

“Of course I did not. I do not play those games,” Womack told The City Wire. “He (Maddox) endorsed me straight up, no questions asked, no promises made.”

Continuing, Womack said: “I’m not going to endorse him, and I’m not going to endorse anyone else. I have said before, and I will say again, ‘I am not endorsing anyone for the mayor of Rogers.’ … It’s a decision that belongs in the hands of the electorate, and they should be free to do that without any bias from me or any other individuals.”

The filing period for Rogers mayor begins Aug. 4. Womack, who has held the post for more than 10 years, says four or more candidates could get in the race. Greg Hines, 34, a member of the city council, has already announced, Womack said.

Updated info: Maddox Spokesman Patrick Hall responded to say that Maddox and Womack did not make a political deal. Also, Hall said Maddox is aware that Womack does not intend to endorse any mayoral candidate.

Maddox founded and operates Rogers-based MDX Group Inc., a real estate and janitorial service company. Realtors Steve Fineberg and Meza Harris will serve on the campaign committee, the Maddox statement noted.

"Not unlike running a business, the mayoral position requires real world experience balanced with vision and a desire to work with people. No other announced candidates appear to have my qualifications. I have a long history with balancing budgets, creating business plans, meeting payrolls, and responding personally to clients’ needs. I would like to offer that experience to the citizens of Rogers," Maddox said in the statement.