A former director of a nonprofit organization who served in the Army on Tuesday became the first candidate to announce he’s running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Steve Womack in northwest Arkansas next year.
Ken Aden told The Associated Press that he’s seeking his party’s nomination for the 3rd congressional district in 2012. Aden is the first Democrat to announce he’s running for the seat.
Womack is the former mayor of Rogers and was elected to Congress last year. His seat is considered to be in a reliably Republican district. Republicans hold three of the state’s four congressional seats.
Aden, 32, said he believed the district is winnable for Democrats. He said he wants to try and attract renewable energy businesses to the 3rd district.
“I would say my chances would be good, but it’ll be dependent on reaching out to young people. ... They have a voice and they deserve to be heard,” Aden said.
Aden is the former director of Residents 4 Arkansas, a community improvement nonprofit based in West Memphis. He also served 11 years in the Army.
Aden says he resigned his post with the nonprofit group to run for Congress.
Womack reported last month that he’s raised $104,750 so far for his re-election bid.