Long list of 3rd District candidates include a few from Fort Smith area
by January 22, 2010 4:03 pm 85 views
If U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, decides to run for Arkansas’ U.S. Senate seat, who would run for the 3rd Congressional job he now holds?
The answer to that question is: Potentially enough people to field a football team.
Boozman has promised a quick decision in order to prevent too much political chaos.
According to Roby Brock at TalkBusiness.net, the names of potential candidates — all Republicans in a District held by a Republican since 1967 — are flying fast in and out of the rumor mill.
There’s former 3rd District Congressman Asa Hutchinson, for starters. Most of the potential candidates are Republicans from the Northwest Arkansas area, including State Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Springs (and former Arkansas Highway Commissioner), Benton County Judge David Bisbee (and former state senator), and Rogers Mayor Steve Womack.
However, there are a few people from the Fort Smith region being discussed as potential candidates. The list includes former U.S. Attorney Bob Balfe (who was based in Fort Smith but now lives in Northwest Arkansas), Jake Files, former state representative and a candidate for the Arkansas Senate seat representing Fort Smith, and State Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren.
“A crowded Republican primary could lead to an opening for a regional candidate from south of the tunnel, such as the Fort Smith/Van Buren region. The theory being that there would be a run-off election between the top 2 candidates, and in a run-off, anything can happen,” Brock noted in his analysis of the fluid situation.
Files is not interested in a 3rd District run.
“While it is nice to be included in the discussion of potential candidates, I can tell you affirmatively that I am focused 100% on the State Senate race in Fort Smith in 2010. I have received a great deal of support in the community here, and I am looking forward to a spirited primary,” Files said in an e-mail sent to political reporters. “There are some great names being floated around (for the 3rd District race), and I would hope many of them would concentrate their efforts on building a two-party system in Little Rock. We need strong, effective leadership for the future in Little Rock as well as Washington DC.”
Sebastian County Republican Party Chairman Rex Terry hopes someone from the Fort Smith region will be in a 3rd District race if Boozman moves on.
“My desire would be to have a candidate from our region, from the River Valley region. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anyone from Fort Smith,” Terry told The City Wire. “I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t (find a viable candidate).”
Roby Brock, a content partner with The City Wire, has a more complete list and analysis with this story of the 3rd District shuffle that could happen if Boozman seeks the U.S. Senate seat.