Sen. Lincoln campaign fund tops $5 million

It appears that U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., is not backing away from a tough reelection campaign.

Following the surprise election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts Senate seat long held by Democrat Teddy Kennedy, political insiders in Arkansas and Washington D.C., suggested that Lincoln might back away from the race.

A reason for such a move is her high disapproval numbers in polls of likely Arkansas voters. A recent Talk Business Quarterly poll suggests that Lincoln has a 57% unfavorable rating among likely Arkansas voters, and that 56% of likely voters disapprove of her job performance.

But on Tuesday (Jan. 26) morning, Lincoln announced that her her campaign raised $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Lincoln had more than $5 million cash on hand on Dec. 31, 2009.

“It appears that Lincoln is digging in for the long haul, contrary to rumors that she’s being pushed out of the race,” noted Little Rock journalist Roby Brock.

Lincoln’s potential weakness has resulted in U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, considering a run in the crowded — nine candidates have announced — GOP primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Boozman could make his decision public as early as Wednesday (Jan. 27). Boozman is in his fifth term as Arkansas’ 3rd District congressman and previously announced he would seek reelection.