Johnson weighs run for Congress

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas State Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Johnson said Tuesday that things have changed since he laughed off any thought that he would run against U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln.

Johnson also predicted victory if he does run.

"There is a lot going on now," said Johnson, D-Bigelow. "We've not seen the disdain we're seeing right now for Congress. It's notoften you have a chance to run for the United States Senate, a legitimate chance. That time is now."

Johnson, 45, said he's considering challenging Lincoln in the Democratic Party primary.

He said a comment made by Lincoln's spokesman, Steve Patterson, last week indicates that Lincoln may benervous as she seeks a third term.

Patterson told The Associated Press last week that "Mr. Johnson must have decided the Republican primary is too crowded."

"I was frankly surprised a sitting senator's campaign was so quick to start on a negative attack on an unannounced candidate," Johnson said. "It's very telling. I've been told at least that worry can cause you to do that."

Patterson said Tuesday that he had no response to that comment by Johnson.

Johnson is term-limited from seeking re-election to the state Senate in 2010. He served as House speaker during the 1999 legislative session.

In a December interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for an article in advance of the 2009 legislative session, Johnson brought up the possibility of running against Lincoln and immediately rejected the idea.

"As far as having any sort of agenda or long-term plan, running against Blanche or anything like that, noooo!" Johnson said in December, laughing. "Do I qualify as the only one not mentioned [as a candidate]? But you just never know. I'm a big believer in pre-destiny, fate. The good Lord has his plan. I just don't know what it is right now."

He said back then that if he served in Congress he wouldn't vote party-line.

"Congress is tough," he said. "I'm not a functionary. I'm not a lemming off the cliff. I don't know how I would function inthat environment. I'm going to be me. I may be more conservative on an issue and I may less conservative on an issue."

But he added, "I'd never take anything off the table. You might get invited to a dinner where folks are trying to convince you to take the next step into something."

Johnson said Tuesday that he's received encouragement to run but wouldn't disclose who has done so. But he said it's been from people around the state he considers "almost a silent army."

He said he'll make his decision in a few weeks. He declined to offer any views on policies until then.

"The decision will be made strictly on how this impacts my family," Johnson said. "It's not secret I have three young children at home. The issue for me is can I realistically take on this challenge."

But he said family wasn't the only consideration. He wants to make sure he would have a legitimate chance before committing.

"Clearly this is a David and Goliath situation, and I'm not Goliath," Johnson said. "In order to take this on, I have to be committed 150 percent. If I takeon this task, I will win."

Patterson said he would expect opponents to think positively heading into a race.

"Sen. Lincoln has the same attitude," Patterson said. "She's throwing herself into it 110 percent. She's got herself in a good position to help the state. Voters are upset with Washington. She looks forward to a campaign and showing that she is the best for Arkansas. There is a tendency to judge her by the policies of others. She's not Barack Obama. She's not Nancy Pelosi."

One of Johnson's colleagues in the state Senate, Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, already has said he's running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, and another, Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, is considering doing so.

Hendren said he "thinks the world of Bob. I encourage anybody who wants to get into the arena to do it. I'd welcome him in," he said. "In fact, I voted for him for Senate president tempore" in 2007.

Baker said it's interesting that Johnson is talking about the possibility of running although the two haven't talked about that.

"He obviously would be a strong candidate," he said.

"I am still trying to make a decision about me running," Baker said. He said he would do that "soon." Information for this article was contributed by Michael R. Wickline of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.