Campaign 2014 Under Way In Arkansas

CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR NEXT NOVEMBER

Seldom have the political announcements flown faster than the past couple of weeks.

And the end of all this political posturing, dear voters, is not yet in sight.

Here’s what we know. And there is lots that we don’t know.

For the U.S. Senate: Tom Cotton: The GOP congressman, his friends at the Club for Growth plus the Koch Brothers are “all in” on the U.S. Senate race against Mark Pryor. Money from out of state will pour into Cotton’s coffers.

Mark Pryor: Despite some early stumbles noticed only within the Democrat Party, he today has double the campaign war chest of Tom Cotton.

Third District Congress: Steve Womack: The congressman has an aggressive August recess schedule set and is gearing up for re-election. Governor: The Democrats Bill Halter: He’s out of the governor’s race. Announced too soon, not enough broad-based support to make a primary challenge to Mike Ross. Look for Halter to step into the 2nd Congressional District race in Central Arkansas.

Mike Ross: Smashed the all-time fund raising records as a gubernatorial candidate, hauling in $1.97 million. He has broadbased support in all 75 counties and is not slowing down. Focused, steady and a fierce campaigner. Governor: The Republicans Asa Hutchinson: He’s finally got a big publicity monkey (the Brandon Barber issue) off his back. Been slow in fund raising. His two primary opponents are not backing down. He plans to plod on in his second time for the governor’s chair and an 0-for-three record in statewide races.

Debra Hobbs: She’s saying she is “the Conservative choice” in this primary race. Still has State Rep. duties in the interim and in next year’s fiscal session, which could hamper her fundraising schedule. Popular in Northwest Arkansas, unknown most everywhere else.

Curtis Coleman: The first GOP candidate to announce. The first to say he’s not dropping back to Lt. Governor spot. (He must have been asked to do so). He’s not raised much money, but likes to speak at gatherings in his central Arkansas base.

Lt. Governor: Mark Darr: The sitting Republican Lt. Governor, is not seeking re-election. He moved from Rogers to Mansfield (Sebastian County) and will run for 4th District Congressional. Darr, as presiding officer over the state Senate, was unable with a GOP majority to defeat the Arkansas Private Option — Obamacare.

John Burkhalter: The millionaire state Highway Commissioner has tag-teamed with Democrat front runner Mike Ross for a one-two punch on the Democratic side. A political novice, but a rich one.

Diane Curry: The former Little Rock School Board member dropped out last week. No support outside of her Central Little Rock zone. No money. She might run for Congress. If she runs against Bill Halter, it will only allow Halter to collect money for a primary race and then on to the fall event against sitting GOP Congressman Tim Griffin.

These are the “big” state and regional races everyone is talking about.

The 4th Congressional District, 2nd Congressional District and other statewide races will be discussed next week.

The state Republicans are seeing what the Democrats once claimed each and every election cycle: Multiple folks from different parts of the state wanting to run for the same office.

This often leads to no-holds-barred, vicious fighting during in-party primaries (remember the Bill Halter-Blanche Lincoln bout?).

The biggest and often unsaid prize under the state capitol dome is which party can hold a majority of the seven state executive offices. Control of the 75 county election commissions weighs in the balance.