AP: Gilbert Baker will run for the Senate
It looks like David Sanders was right (and I hate it when he is right) – State Senator Gilbert Baker announced this morning that he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the fall. Of course, Baker talks to Andrew “the Machine” DeMillo of the Associated Press instead of The Tolbert Report but whatever. From DeMillo…
State Sen. Gilbert Baker says he’s seeking the Republican Party’s nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln next year.
Baker said Tuesday that he’s joining the crowded field of Republican candidates hoping to run against Lincoln, a Democrat seeking a third term in the Senate. Baker becomes the sixth Republican to announce a Senate bid.
More as it develops…
Here is the full press release direct from Baker’s Campaign in Conway…
State Senator Gilbert Baker announced today that he will be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2010.
“After encouragement from people all across the state, and with the support of my family and close friends, I have decided that during this important time in our nation’s history, one should not be a political spectator.” Baker continued, “I believe that Arkansas’ next United States Senator should help provide checks and balances on the policies being pushed by President Obama and the D.C. leadership.”
Baker will spend the month of September travelling the state raising money, speaking to groups, visiting with grassroots supporters, and developing a campaign infrastructure.
“We have set modest fundraising and organizational goals as we begin this process,” commented Baker.
“However, let me be clear, I believe any viable challenger to Senator Lincoln must possess the ability to raise a significant amount of money in order to get his or her message out to the people of Arkansas.” Baker closed, “I look forward to a spirited primary campaign and a vigorous debate about the many issues facing Arkansas.”
A formal campaign kick-off will be planned for October.
Tags: 2010 Candidates
September 1st, 2009 at 11:39 am
[...] That did not take long. Gilbert Baker is officially a candidate for the US [...]
September 1st, 2009 at 11:50 am
My poor Tom Cotton. Perhaps he will run for AG or SoS. We need him in our Gov’t.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Barbara,
I don’t see why Gilbert running means Tom won’t. When it comes to primary voters Gilberts name id isn’t that much higher than anyone else’s. I don’t think voters are looking for one career politician (Baker) to replace another career politician (Lincoln) in the US Senate. I think they’re looking for more change than that.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I agree with Brett. I think it would be more refreshing to have more of an outsider such as Coleman or Cotton running. It is all about the money. I will be interested to see the filing totals at the end of September.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I agree with AR. We need an outsider, but Coleman is tied to the Huckabee regime and Cotton (while appealing) has a bunch of DC and Harvard cronies.
If we want a fresh face, we should be looking at a guy like Reynolds. I know he has been spending lots of time over here, and you can’t claim a retired army colonel is not a clean slate or doesn’t have the leadership skills necessary for the job.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Gilbert was the party chairman for crying out loud. His name ID is MUCH higher among primary voters.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Gilbert is the best candidate in the race so far. Not an easy race, but unknowns without a base of support (financial and voting) will have a very hard time in a primary.
Cotton may be the great Gift from the One. But for a maiden race, US Senate might be too much for him to chew. There are many other options for him.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
The Republicans do realize there are other offices up for reelection in 2010 right? I mean there’s Governor, Lt. Governor, SOS, Attorney General. I mean lets spread the people around a little bit.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I know Gilbert’s name ID in NWA is pretty high also, but not for positive reasons.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I think you’ll find that the vast majority of primary voters could not tell you the name of the party chairman. That goes for both parties.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I do not think Gilbert’s name ID will help him. People still have not forgotten the Bisbee situation, nor the disasterous elections of 2006 that he was in charge of.
September 1st, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Barbara D.
You hit it on the head with his name recognition from being party chair. The only problem…. it is negative recognition in NWA. If you look at us now you can see how poor our leadership is then and now. Our party didn’t get here overnight. Gilbert needs to save his lip service for another so called “friend”. Conrad I hate you had a friend stick the knife in so deep. We need a change in leadership if we are going to accomplish anything.