Arkansas House advances Sen. Cotton presidential bill

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' freshman senator could seek re-election and the White House under a proposal endorsed by the House.

Lawmakers voted 62-14 Monday in favor of allowing U.S. Senate and congressional candidates to also appear on the ballot as presidential or vice presidential candidates. The bill's sponsor has said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton helped inspire the proposal.

Cotton was sworn into his first Senate term in January and hasn't publicly expressed an interest in running for president. His office hasn't returned requests for comment.

No one spoke against the bill Monday.

The bill now advances to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. A Hutchinson spokesman says that the governor will sign the bill.

See Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.

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