Bill signed clearing path for Cotton presidential bid

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas has cleared the way for Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton to run for re-election and president in five years, even though the freshman senator hasn't expressed any interest in a White House bid.

A spokesman said Friday that Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law legislation that would allow U.S. Senate and congressional candidates to simultaneously run for president or vice president. Republican Bart Hester, who proposed the law change, has said he introduced it with Cotton in mind.

Cotton was elected to the Senate last year and would be up for re-election in 2020. He hasn't even floated the possibility of running for president and hasn't commented on the proposal.

The proposal follows efforts in Kentucky to allow U.S. Sen. Rand Paul to run for re-election and president next year.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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