While a former U.S. senator is backing Mike Huckabee's bid for the White House, the ex-senator's ex-wife on Friday filed the paperwork to put Mitt Romney on the ballot in Arkansas' presidential primary.
Later Friday, Huckabee's daughter-in-law filed paperwork on behalf of the former Arkansas governor.
Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, filed documents certifying that Romney meets the state Republican Party's requirements to appear on the Feb. 5 ballot, said Natasha Naragon, a spokesman for the Arkansas secretary of state's office. Romney paid the $15,000 filing fee to the state GOP last month.
Hutchinson is the ex-wife of former Sen. Tim Hutchinson, who has endorsed Huckabee's presidential bid. Her former brother-in-law, former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, also is backing Huckabee for president.
Lauren Huckabee - a 25-year-old attorney who is married to Huckabee's son, David - filed the former governor's papers with the secretary of state's office. Earlier Friday, the state GOP received a $15,000 check and paperwork from Huckabee's campaign.
Huckabee served as governor from 1996 until earlier this year, when he left office due to term limits.
Huckabee and the Hutchinsons led different wings of the state Republican Party a decade ago but the former governor repeatedly brushes aside talk of a rivalry. Huckabee last year campaigned around the state on behalf of Asa Hutchinson's unsuccessful bid for governor.
Also Friday, Democratic presidential candidates Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich filed with the state. Each have also paid a $2,500 filing fee with the state party.
Democratic Party of Arkansas spokeswoman Darinda Sharp said Gravel, a former Alaska senator, sent his filing fee in Friday and his paperwork Thursday. Sharp said Kucinich, an Ohio congressman and former Cleveland mayor, sent in his paperwork Friday and paid his filing fee Tuesday. Dodd, a Connecticut senator, had already paid his filing fee Wednesday.
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is the only remaining Democratic candidates who have not yet filed paperwork with the state. Republican candidates Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo have not filed any paperwork with the state.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, who served as Arkansas' first lady for 12 years, has already filed with the state.
Monday is the deadline to file with the secretary of state's office.