Lt. Gov. Mark Darr is seriously considering a race in south Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District in the 2014 election, he told 5NEWS on Monday (May 13).
Darr’s house in Springdale, which is in the 3rd Congressional District, is up for sale, meaning he might either move to Hot Springs or Arkadelphia, placing him in the 4th District, he said.
A race for the seat would depend on whether first-term Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., runs, as many expect, for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.
The congressman in Darr’s current home 3rd District, Republican Steve Womack, is thought to be a sure bet to win re-election in the conservative Northwest Arkansas district if he seeks re-election as anticipated.
Darr spoke with 5NEWS about the upcoming election prior to an address Monday night by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at the Benton County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. (In a photo by 5NEWS, Darr is shown with his wife, Kim, at Monday’s event.)
Darr and his wife attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, and while she has discussed possible employment with the school, that has not been finalized, he said.
Darr, a Republican, said any criticism about him being a newcomer to the 4th District could be countered by his pointing out that the residents there — and the entire state — are already his constituents as lieutenant governor.
