Day 2 sees 17 candidates file to run in Arkansas

Congressman, lieutenant governor join others making re-election bids official

Fayetteville alderman Mark Kinion, a Democratic candidate for House District 86, talks with election officials while filing for that office Friday at the Capitol. Another primary candidate for the Washington County district is Nicole Clowney, also of Fayetteville. More filing-day photos are available atarkansasonline.com/galleries.
Fayetteville alderman Mark Kinion, a Democratic candidate for House District 86, talks with election officials while filing for that office Friday at the Capitol. Another primary candidate for the Washington County district is Nicole Clowney, also of Fayetteville. More filing-day photos are available atarkansasonline.com/galleries.

Three of the state's four congressmen have attracted challengers thus far in the state and federal candidate filing period, which concluded its second day at the state Capitol on Friday.

The second round was in sharp contrast to the crowded fanfare of Thursday's opening day; 17 candidates trickled in throughout the day Friday, quickly maneuvering through the six-step process to file. Some brought along their families and lingered to snap pictures while others came alone and hurried out.

The last candidate of the day came through just before 3 p.m., bringing the total filings over the two days to 152 primary candidates and 16 nonpartisan judicial candidates. Before Thursday, another 29 nonpartisan judicial candidates qualified for the ballot by filing signature petitions.

Filing, which occurs during normal business hours, resumes Monday and ends Thursday. The primaries and nonpartisan judicial general elections are May 22, and the general election is Nov. 6.

[2018 CANDIDATES: Full list of those who have filed to run for state, federal offices]

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers who is in the 3rd District in northwest Arkansas, filed Friday for his fifth two-year term. Another candidate for that seat is Josh Mahony, a Democrat who filed Thursday. Mahony is a Fayetteville businessman and nephew of a longtime state legislator, Jodie Mahony, a Democrat from El Dorado who died in 2009.

Womack said his district has seen dynamic growth during his four terms.

"My area continues to just explode. That brings about its own needs, infrastructure for sure," Womack said. "That's about the only thing that's holding the biggest part of my district back, and that's the ability to move people."

Womack said he welcomes the competition on the campaign trail.

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Photos by Brandon Riddle

"If you believe you can make a difference for your community, your people, your state, your country, the political process of the United States of America welcomes you to the debate," Womack said. "So do I."

Candidates in two other congressional districts filed the first day.

U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock is the lone Republican to file for the 2nd District seat. Three Democratic candidates officially entered the primary: state Rep. Clarke Tucker of Little Rock, Paul Spencer of Scott and Gwen Combs of Little Rock.

In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs will face Randy Caldwell of Hot Springs in the Republican primary. Hayden Shamel of Hot Springs filed as a Democrat for the office.

No one has filed yet in the 1st District of eastern Arkansas. The incumbent is U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, a Republican from Jonesboro.

All of the state's constitutional offices now have candidates.

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, who filed Friday morning for re-election to a second four-year term, is the only candidate for the office so far. Griffin said he's not concerned about challengers.

"The people of Arkansas have gotten to know me well over the last few years and I think that they want to keep a conservative, bold leader in the lieutenant governor's office," Griffin said.

Asked about his political future, Griffin -- who cannot seek a third term as lieutenant governor -- said he planned to return for another filing period in the future, but demurred on the specifics.

"I don't expect it be the last time," Griffin said. "I'm going to focus on this race, and you'll be getting a call in the next race."

Candidates for the rest of the seven constitutional offices filed Thursday.

Among legislative candidates, state Rep. Ken Bragg, R-Sheridan, said this year was the first time he did not file on opening day. A meeting conflicted with the date. As of the end of the day, no one had filed to run against him for his fourth two-year term.

"I'm just going to complete some things we started on," Bragg said. "The meeting we had yesterday had to do with workforce development and that has been one of my priorities. I want to help create a more cohesive program and train the workers that we need."

Of the five nonpartisan judicial candidates who added their names to the ballots Friday, three were incumbents -- Court of Appeals District 2, Position 1, Judge Bart Virden; 6th Judicial Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce; and Prosecuting Attorney Henry Boyce of the 3rd Judicial Circuit in northeast Arkansas.

Two are newcomers to the office they seek: Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady seeks the Division 1 circuit judge spot in Saline County, and Joe Graham of Hot Springs filed for Garland County district judge.

Virden, who is unopposed so far, said he enjoyed the ease of filing on the second day of the season.

"I just love the job and I think I've done pretty good so far," he said. "We've had an increased caseload in the court, but we've handled it."

Casady was the last candidate to file for the day when he showed up about 3 p.m. Friday with his 7-year-old son Kaleb.

The longtime prosecutor from Saline County said that while he has enjoyed his time in office, he felt it was time for a change.

"Circuit judge is an important position," Casady said. "I think I have something to contribute and the timing is right."

Metro on 02/24/2018

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