Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas Conner Eldridge said Wednesday he is running for U.S. Senate.
Eldridge, a Democrat who resigned as U.S. Attorney last month, is seeking the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman.
"The work of a prosecutor in fighting crime isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue," Eldridge said in a statement. "We need to take the same approach to creating a strong Arkansas economy, cutting government spending, waste and needless regulation, and making sure that everyone in Arkansas has an opportunity to succeed.”
Boozman was first elected in 2010 and has said he is running for reelection.
Eldridge, who stepped down from the U.S. Attorney position Aug. 21 amid speculation he would seek the Senate seat, said he received "broad encouragement" to mount a campaign.
“I would only run this race if I thought I could win,” he said in the statement. “I believe I can make a real difference for Arkansas in the U.S. Senate.”
See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.