LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The stage was set Monday for heated Democratic and Republican primaries in the U.S. Senate race in Arkansas as the deadline passed to file for state and federal offices in this year's elections.
Four of the eight Republicans running for the GOP nomination for Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln's seat were among the last to file by the noon deadline. Lincoln already faces a tough primary challenge from Democratic Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, who made his bid official last week.
Randy Alexander of Springdale, state Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway, former state Sen. Jim Holt of Springdale and retired Army Col. Conrad Reynolds of Conway filed paperwork at the state Capitol on Monday. Arkansas' primaries are May 18.
They round out a crowded GOP field that includes John Boozman, the state's only Republican congressman who dropped a re-election bid to run for Senate. Boozman continued to be a target of criticism from his rivals, who indirectly targeted the congressman and his votes.
"A $700 billion government bailout was not the way to go," Baker told reporters after filing, referring to the $700 billion bailout of the nation's financial system that Boozman and the state's other three congressmen supported in 2008.
When asked whether he believed Boozman was part of the problem, Baker replied: "D.C. is absolutely the problem."
Boozman has defended his vote for the bailout, saying he believed it helped prevent a meltdown of the nation's economy.
Lincoln is one of the most vulnerable Democrats running this year, and her re-election bid has turned into one of the most nationally-watched races. She already had faced intense criticism from Republicans, especially for her support of a proposed health care overhaul that passed the Senate.
She's also drawn criticism from the left. Halter entered the race after being courted by organizations that oppose Lincoln's stances on health care, union legislation and air pollution regulations.
Halter began airing ads last week for his bid, and Lincoln has television spots airing around the state touting her opposition to some of her party's initiatives on health care and air pollution regulation.
A third Democrat, D.C. Morrison of Little Rock, also has filed to challenge Lincoln in the primary.
Holt is the only candidate among the eight who's run against both Lincoln and Halter. He lost the general election in 2004 and lost the lieutenant governor's race in 2006.
Holt, a social conservative who has run on issues such as illegal immigration reform in the past, said he didn't believe losing to both hurt his argument that he would be best suited for the general election.
"I'd love to take them both out in one race," Holt said.
The Republicans lag far behind Lincoln and Halter in campaign cash. Lincoln has more than $5 million in the bank for her re-election bid, while unions and liberal activists are promising millions to help Halter in the Senate.
Other Republicans running for the seat are North Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman, state Sen. Kim Hendren of Gravette and Fred Ramey of Searcy.
Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels said 338 candidates filed during the one-week filing period.
The filing period came as the state faces one of the most chaotic political scenes in recent years. Besides Boozman, Democratic congressmen Vic Snyder and Marion Berry also have opted out of re-election bids. Halter's run for the Senate also opened up the lieutenant governor's office.
State Sen. Steve Bryles on Monday joined the race for Berry's House seat in the 1st district, which covers eastern Arkansas. Five other Democrats and two Republicans also have filed for the seat.
Little Rock restaurant owner Scott Wallace filed Monday for the Republican nomination for Snyder's 2nd district seat in central Arkansas. He faces former interim U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin in the race for the GOP nomination. Five Democrats also are running.
Former state Rep. Doug Matayo filed to run for the GOP nomination for Boozman's seat representing the 3rd district in northwest Arkansas. He joins a crowded GOP field that includes seven other candidates. Former Fayetteville assistant City Attorney David Whitaker is the only Democrat who filed for the seat.
