Hendren Plans to Stick with the U.S. Senate Race
Anyone remember State Sen. Kim Hendren? Yeah, that Kim Hendren. If you are like me, you probably thought he had ridden off into the sunset in that RV of his to focus on his car dealership and radio station. He was the first Republican to jump in (sort of) telling me back in April, “I intend to run, and win, the race for the U.S. Senate in Arkansas.” He followed this up with a series of odd statements about Sen. Charles Schumer, about the paperwork required to run, and about repealing the 17th amendment providing for the direct election of U.S. Senators. And then everyone sort of forgot about him.
Well, Hendren would have none of this non-sense so he had a little chat with Bill Bowden of the Arkansas Democrat –Gazette to say don’t you forget about me (paraphrased.) According to the article, Hendren has every intention of being on the ballot in the May Republican Primary.
He also chimed in on the headlines he has made with his characteristic off
the cuff remarks. “I found out very quickly that it’s a contact sport, and you have to have tough skin to deal with it,” Hendren told the ADG. “You get quoted out of context, and sometimes a guy makes a mistake.”
Hendren is of course referring to the story on the Tolbert Report back in May in which he confirmed that he referred to New York Sen. Charles Schumer as “that Jew.” He has since denied this and takes issue with the word that however he stands by the Jew part of his quote.
Hendren, in an attempt to make anyone offended by the remark feel better, tells the ADG “There is a Jew with whom I agree, and his name is Jesus Christ.”
He also says that he has no intention of raising money, saying “I have never asked for money in my life. I ask for their vote and voluntary support.” That should make Republicans who are deciding which candidate should take on incumbent Democrat Sen. Blanche Lincoln and her $2 million war chest feel much better.
As I predicted back on Roby Brock’s show back in April, it looks like we can count on Hendren to continue to keep things interesting.
Tags: 2010 Candidates