Will any of the state’s four U.S. House races be particularly interesting this election cycle? The 2nd District became a little more so last week.

That’s the one featuring Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill and Democrat Chris Jones. 

Jones gained a little momentum Monday when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced he was one of six candidates across the country it had added to its Red to Blue program. The designation means Jones will have access to national organizational and fundraising support in the campaign’s final weeks. 

Democrats think he has a chance, in other words. Likewise, the well-regarded Sabato’s Crystal Ball election forecasting site recently moved the race from “Safe Republican” to “Likely Republican.”

Continue reading →

The United States’ conflict with Iran continues, with gas and diesel prices a continual and rising reminder. 

What do Arkansas’ three candidates for U.S. Senate think should be done?

Sen. Tom Cotton has long taken an aggressive stance regarding Iran. He opposed President Obama’s nuclear deal in 2015 that placed inspectors in that country. Cotton argued that it would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons and help it fund terrorism. He then advocated for military action in 2019 after Iran attacked two oil tankers. He supported President Trump’s strikes last year against Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.

The day this year’s war started on Feb. 28, he told CBS News that President Trump had successfully laid out the mission’s objectives. Those were: thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions; destroy its missile arsenal; and dismantle Iran’s terrorist network. 

As Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, Cotton has access to highly classified information. 

Given his position, I asked him Sept. 1 when he visited Henderson State University in Arkadelphia what hope he could provide that the conflict would work out OK.

Continue reading →