Candidates for more than 100 state and federal offices began filing paperwork to officially run today during a kickoff event at the state Capitol.
The week-long filing period for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the state’s seven constitutional offices, the top state courts, and 117 of the 135 seats in the state Legislature began at noon today, drawing a large crowd of hopefuls, supporters and protesters to the second floor second floor rotunda.
Among those in a large crowd of early filers were Democrat John Adams, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, and Republican Senate candidates Curtis Coleman and John Boozman, who is the U.S. Representative for the 3rd District.
Tim Griffin, a Republican running for the 2nd District, was the first person to file after arriving about an hour early.
"We're excited," he said. "I think being the first to file does reflect how excited we are to be in this race."
Oaklawn announcer Terry Wallace began the proceedings with an animated speech comparing the election to a horse race.
"They're in the gate," he told the crowd as noon approached. "And they're off."
Secretary of State Charlie Daniels organized the opening event. In past years, he said the filing period was recognized with a gong or a bell.
"It's important to me to make sure that we signify it's the kickoff for the first day of filing," he said. "It adds a little excitement to the air."
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln arrived shortly arrived at the Capitol a little after 1 p.m. and was greeted by more than a dozen protesters, who displayed signs and joined in chants critical of her record.
"It's a great country and everybody has a right to be out here and I appreciate that," Lincoln said. "I just choose to do things a little differently ... I hope that they'll engage in the debate. I hope they'll really look at the issues and look at my record. I don't have a problem with that. "
For the first time, the Secretary of State is updating filings in real time on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ARSecofState..
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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