Sources: Boozman Will Challenge Lincoln in Arkansas

[ccharles000]

Barring a last-minute change of heart, Rep. John Boozman (R) appears set to jump into Arkansas’ Senate race in the coming days.

Sources on Capitol Hill said Wednesday that Boozman, the lone GOP Member of the state’s Congressional delegation, has made it clear that he intends to challenge Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) in November. Boozman already has much of his Senate campaign team in place, and the announcement is expected to take place in Arkansas before the weekend is out.

When asked about a potential Senate bid Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Boozman would only say “nothing has been announced officially.”

By taking on Lincoln, Boozman will attempt to do what his brother, former state Sen. Fay Boozman, could not. Fay Boozman challenged Lincoln in the then-open-seat Senate race in 1998, and John Boozman worked for his brother on that campaign. Fay Boozman lost that race by 13 points.

Boozman talked with National Republican Senatorial Committee officials and other Senate leaders this week in the wake of the firestorm he created last week by openly acknowledging that he was considering making a Senate run.

“This is something that really for the last several weeks I have been thinking about,” Boozman said in an interview on Monday.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/42699-1.html?type=printer_friendly

[gateley]

1. Any Dems warming up for a run? nt

[depakid]

2. Anyone going to take on this sorry DINO in the primary?

or do the Democrats just cede the seat to Republicans by backing a sure loser, who's also disloyal to the party?

[Hestia]

4. Been hearing rumors about Bill Halter running for her seat, along with Wes Clark

either one would be fantastic. They both have a brain and should be able to do great things for the country and stated.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. Go Wes Clark! nt