After Congressional Runs, Where Are They Now?

While Arkansas ushered in three new federal representatives and returned one incumbent in 2010, there were four candidates for Congress who have slipped back into life off the campaign trail.

What ever happened to Congressional candidates Chad Causey, Joyce Elliott, David Whitaker and Beth Anne Rankin?

Causey, the Democratic nominee for the First District who lost to Republican Rick Crawford, just announced his plans to practice law.

Causey has joined the Jonesboro law firm of Womack, Landis, Phelps & McNeill P.A., according to this article in the Jonesboro Sun.

He will focus his practice on business, commercial, agricultural, energy and natural resources law and related litigation, as well as governmental administration and regulation, he says.

Causey also married fiance Meredith McNeil of Newport on New Year’s Day and says he hasn’t ruled out running for office again.

Of course, Joyce Elliott, the Democratic nominee in the Second, never took much of a break.  The State Senator from Little Rock who lost to GOP candidate Tim Griffin, is deeply entrenched in the current Arkansas legislative session.

Elliott is the majority whip in the State Senate. She serves on the Joint Budget Committee, Education Committee, Insurance and Commerce Committee and is the Vice-chair of the Joint Public Retirement Committee. All four committees carry a heavy workload.

She’s a sponsor on 12 bills so far in this session, including co-sponsor of a bill that would strengthen ethical requirements for legislators.

In the Third District, Democratic candidate David Whitaker has been in the midst of a job search since his defeat by Republican Steve Womack. However, last weekend Whitaker suffered a heart attack and is now at home recuperating.

Through a Facebook exchange, Whitaker thanked friends for "kind wishes and prayers."

"As you may know, I had a sudden heart attack on Saturday afternoon, but thanks to quick recognition of the symptoms and the incredible work of the nurses and doctors at Washington Regional/Walker Heart Institute my outcome is potentially very good!" Whitaker wrote on Tuesday.

Whitaker, who once served as an assistant city attorney in Fayetteville, tells Talk Business that once he recovers, he’ll resume his job hunt and notes that he’s not leaving Arkansas anytime soon.

"My search is limited by my self-imposed ‘will not move from Fayetteville’ stand," he says.

Last, but certainly not least, Fourth District GOP nominee Beth Anne Rankin returned to her roots after her challenge to incumbent Democratic Cong. Mike Ross.

Rankin tells Talk Business that she has relaunched her business, Beth Anne Productions, Inc. in her hometown of Magnolia. Rankin offers specialty training in piano, voice & flute and will certainly continue her public speaking appearances as a result of her former pageant competition and run for Congress.

"I absolutely loved the campaign last year," Rankin said by text message in a hint that her political future – like Causey’s – may not be over yet.