OK, then. The seven announced Republican candidates for U.S. Senate have qualified for a Republican Party fund-raiser, also known as a straw poll, in Hot Springs this Saturday. It should churn up plenty of media attention.

Each candidate had to buy at least one table of tickets, for $150; had to be a duly registered candidate, and had to show fund-raising sufficient to pay the $10,000 filing fee last go-round.

Advertisement

In the hunt: Col. Conrad Reynolds, Sen. Gilbert Baker, Fred Ramey, Buddy Rogers, Curtis Coleman, Sen. Kim Hendren, and Tom Cox.

Some 1,200 tickets were sold. In other words, the state Party essentially already knows who won (probably Gilbert Baker), because tickets were sold in blocks, unless it’s close and the 350 possible state committee member votes who can vote free are present and decisive.

Advertisement

PS — Former State Sen. Jim Holt isn’t on the list. He’s reactivated an old website. Does that mean he’ll soon be in? I’m ambivalent. He’s a monkey wrench. That’s good. But I like that Magnifcent Seven moniker.

PPS — Hmmmm. A very reliable tipster says Lauren Huckabee (daughter-in-law of the man who set Maurice Clemmons free) has resigned as chief of staff for the Coleman campaign. Does this mean the Huckabee family is switching to a coming candidacy by Jim Lindsey’s farm overseer, Stanley Reed? We’ll know soon. Her resignation note reveals nothing.

Advertisement

 

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Late breaking violence Next article Two NLR aldermen indicted