Jim Lindsey could enter Arkansas’ political shuffle

Jim Lindsey, a Northwest Arkansas businessman and former University of Arkansas football player, could complicate what is already a convoluted political picture resulting from the potential shuffling between the race in Arkansas for U.S. Senate and the state’s 3rd Congressional district.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, said Jan. 22 he might join an already crowded GOP primary race in an effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.

“John Boozman’s imminent entry in the crowded GOP field has its pros and cons, but don’t expect some of his formidable opposition to back down or exit the race immediately, if at all,” noted Roby Brock, a Little Rock-based journalist with TalkBusiness.net.

Brock reports that Washington D.C.-based political news organizations are saying Lindsey is considering entering the Senate race. Brock notes that Lindsey and Boozman would appeal to similar northwest Arkansas business and political constituencies, although Lindsey could easily self-fund or seed his campaign making him an even more credible force.

Boozman would bring strong name identification and a veteran campaign organization, fundraising history, and near-universal name recognition in the 3rd District.



Neither candidate seems destined to push viable competitors out of the field. State Sen. Gilbert Baker said on Tuesday that he was firmly committed to the GOP primary.  Former State Sen. Jim Holt has seemed undeterred by Boozman's news and North Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman says he's "planning on being in the race through November."

Link to this report from Brock for more analysis of the situation, including emerging criticism of Boozman’s travel history.