Smith and Key Consider the First Congressional District Race
It appears the First Congressional District may attract a couple more Republicans to challenge Rick Crawford in the May Primary. Following the announcement of Rep. Marion Berry that he will not seek re-election, both State Sen. Johnny Key of Mountain Home and Congressional staffer Princella Smith of Wynne are taking steps to enter the race.
State Sen. Johnny Key confirmed to me that he is seriously looking at the race. He says that he has been contacted by many of his supporters who have encouraged him to run. Sen. Key was elected to the State Senate in 2008 after serving a full six year term in the state house and five years on the Baxter County Quorum Court. Traditionally Mountain Home is an area with a high turnout of Republican Primary votes which may give Sen. Key an edge if he decides to run.
Princella Smith from Wynne works as communication director for Rep. Joseph Cao is also looking to get in the race as well. Her website – princellasmith.com – now appears to be a campaign website for Smith for Congress and says that it is paid for by Princella Smith for Congress Exploratory Committee. Before working for Rep. Cao, Smith was a spokesperson for Newt Gingrich’s organization American Solution. She is well connected inside the beltway and will be able to raise money quickly.
On the Democratic side, I am told by sources that former State Senator and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Tim Wooldridge of Paragould is likely to get in the race. The Paragould Daily Press reported today that he has formed an exploratory committee. Wooldridge lost to Bill Halter in the runoff for Lieutenant Governor in 2006 and is considered a conservative leaning Democrat.
Democrats State Rep. Keith Ingram of West Memphis, Berry’s Chief of Staff Chad Causey, and former State Rep. Chris Thyer of Jonesboro are also all rumored to be strongly considering running. However Wooldridge’s likely entrance probably means that his long time friend from Paragould State Sen. Robert Thompson will not get in.
Tags: 2010 Candidates
January 27th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Both of these are great Republicans. I hope either can serve us in Congress.