State Sen. Denny Altes considering Congressional bid

Add State Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, to the list of those considering a run for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District.

With U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, leaving the House seat for U.S. Senate run, the prospects of not facing an incumbent is luring many with political ambitions to what could be a crowded field of contenders.

“Yes. I haven’t been too impressed with any of the announced candidates,” Altes said when asked by The City Wire if rumors of his possible candidacy are true.

Altes is term limited as a state senator and has said he would likely seek the State Representative District 63 seat representing Fort Smith. But the Boozman switch to the Senate race changed Altes’ assessment of his options.

“I have been thinking about it (Congressional run) for years. I know it will be hard for a Fort Smith boy to win but I think I have more experience and perhaps as good a name recognition,” Altes noted.

The rest of his e-mail message sounded like a campaign speech: “I would think the voters would want a Congressman that has been through the fire and has withstood political pressure as well as that of special interest groups and held the line. I have never knowingly voted for a tax and I have been the key vote on many taxes and issues. I have been faithful and have worked hard for my people. I think I can do the job.  Arkansans have been burned too many times by untested candidates that talk a good game and profess their conservative values then go to DC and turn left, voting for every tax, (government) increase and debt issue that comes along.”

Altes would not commit to when he might make a decision, noting instead that he is “talking to supporters and campaigners and waiting for the field to shake out.”

GOING GREEN?
Also waiting on the sideline is Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren. Green, who is term limited, said he is getting calls of support and encouragement, but remains uncertain.

“My family is fully supportive, my friends and colleagues are supportive, and I want a Congressman that will represent all of the 3rd District. I am concerned that the current field of candidates does not offer any significant support of Western Arkansas and the River Valley,” Green said.

What would keep him from running?

“On the negative side is the idea of having to raise a tremendous amount of money and the fact that the majority of the voting population is in (Northwest Arkansas),” Green explained.

INS AND OUTS
The field has seen some settling, but not all the moves have been made.
• Asa Hutchinson, who represented the 3rd District in Congress between 1996 and 2001, said Feb. 8 he would not enter the race.

• John Arthur Hammerschmidt, the son of former 3rd District Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, has said he is considering the race but is leaning against an entry.

• Rogers Mayor Steve Womack and Bernard Skoch have entered the 3rd District race.

• Boone County Judge Mike Moore is expected to formally enter the race Feb. 15. His tour of the 3rd District will include a 2 p.m. stop at Sweet Bay Coffee at 3400 Rogers Ave. (near Creekmore Park) in Fort Smith

• Other names mentioned as possible candidates include Rep. Jonathan Barnett, R-Siloam Springs, State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers, and Dave Bisbee, Benton County Judge.

• David Whitaker, a former attorney for the city of Fayetteville, is running for the 3rd District seat as a Democrat.

OTHER DEMOCRATS?
Lee Webb, chairman of the Sebastian County Democratic Party, said he has heard from two Democrats in the Fort Smith area who are considering the 3rd District race. Webb admitted that it would be nice for someone from the southern part of the district to win the seat, but said he’s most interested in finding a qualified Democrat to be a viable candidate in a District that has had a Republican Congressman since 1967.

“We would be happy with (a candidate from) either (part of the district) that has the credentials we can stand by,” Webb said. “David Whitaker is in, and in my opinion, he’s a pretty qualified guy for that job.”

Webb says the conventional wisdom is that it will be tough for a Democrat to win in this political environment. He quickly added that there is nothing conventional about the recent shifts in Arkansas politics.

“I think anything can happen. Look what’s happened in the last few months. … That’s (a Republican win in the 3rd District race) not a sure thing,” Webb said.

BOOZMAN NEWS
Boozman announced Wednesday (Feb. 10) that Stanley Reed, former chairman of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, will serve as his campaign chairman.

Reed, of Marianna, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and has held numerous positions on Arkansas agriculture boards. Reed had announced his intention to seek the U.S. Senate seat then backed out for health reasons.