Seven Candidates to Square Off in GOP Senate Primary

Though the Republican party failed to field a candidate to challenge Mark Pryor in 2008, seven will battle this spring for the Grand Old Party's nomination to run for the seat currently held by Blanche Lincoln.

Colonel Conrad Reynolds has informed his supporters via email he intends to file on Monday at 11:00 AM. Reynolds is running for the GOP nomination for US Senate to replace Democrat Blanche Lincoln in November. He announced his candidacy on July 20 of last year, before it was obvious Lincoln was in trouble. Since he entered the race, the field of GOP candidates has become extremely crowded.

Four have filed for the seat already, including Curtis Coleman, Fred Ramey, State Senator Kim Hendren, and Congressman John Boozman. Two others, Randy Alexander and State Senator Gilbert Baker, will also file on Monday according to The Tolbert Report.

At one point there were 9 announced candidates running for the Republican nomination. But last month Tom Cox, North Little Rock businessman and co-founder of Arkansas Tea Party, Inc., announced he was withdrawing from the race. Just this week, Buddy Rogers let us know he too had stepped out of the crowded field.

For months polls have shown Lincoln will struggle against whoever wins the GOP nomination, but this week the Senator learned she will also have to win a tough primary battle that will be decided in May. Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, who's backed by radical leftists in the Democrat party, came out with guns blazing against Lincoln on Monday. And in less than a week, his campaign has received promises of millions in contributions from left-wing organizations like Moveon.org, ActBlue, and the AFL-CIO.

Reynolds to host BBQ at RPA's Sarah Palin event

The following is a press release from Colonel Conrad Reynolds' Campaign

CONRAD CARES
Reynolds to host Blue Collar Republican Barbeque

CONWAY - Republican United States Senate candidate Col. Conrad Reynolds (U.S. Army, Ret.) announced today that he will be hosting a good old fashioned barbeque meet and greet in the west parking lot at the Verizon Arena on Tuesday February 16th just before the Sarah Palin event.

Conrad Reynolds says “Our Republican Party is at a crossroads. We are poised for perhaps the biggest political comeback since the 1994 midterm elections. Americans, Arkansans are frustrated and disillusioned with career politicians and politics as usual. The voters are looking for an brave new alternative vision. The Republican Party must supply that vision. We must provide voters with more than rhetoric and platitudes. Now is the time for twice the action and half the talk, and that's why I am running for US Senate.”

“Reagan, Eisenhower and Abraham Lincoln understood what a great honor and privilege it is to serve the people of this great nation. And so do I, because it’s what I have done with my life for the past three decades and it will be what I will do with my life until the day I die. It's an honor to serve the people of Arkansas. And I want to do just that on Tuesday. These are tough economic times, so I am holding a free barbeque tailgate party before the Sarah Palin event for those everyday folks that might not have the resources to attend the $500 per person reception or the $175 for the dinner but they want to be involved.”

“Service to our fellow citizens is one my core beliefs and I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves to help people. I will do whatever it takes to get the job done, whatever it takes to get this country, this state and this party back on track. You have my word on it.”

Please check out our new YouTube video message to veterans, veteran’s families and active duty military personnel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBAK9J_Yv00

Give us a call or send us an email if you would like to volunteer or contribute to the campaign.

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*LCRC does not endorse any candidate until after the primary election. This post is for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes an endorsement by the LCRC. LCRC will post press releases from any Republican candidate who submits them to email:webmaster@lonokegop.com .

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Col. Conrad Reynolds message to veterans

Dear Friends,Supporters and Veterans, Please check out this new video message to Veterans, Active Duty Military, families of veterans and patriotic Americans from the best US Senate Candidate , Col. Conrad Reynolds. Here's a link. It's on YouTube. Please watch it and rate it 5 STARS!

You can certainly give money if you like. But a 5 star rating is just fine. Help us send a good honest man to Washington.

We know that many of you would like to help the campaign. You can start by forwarding this video to as many people in your contact lists as possible.

If you would like to volunteer, please call us at 501-205-4900 9am-9pm everyday. We'll be opening the first of many call centers around the state in Mountain Home in a couple of weeks. We're looking for space in NW Arkansas for our next call center. And we have a big list of items that folks can loan us or donate to the campaign. Call us for details.

Thank you,

Roman Schroeder
Operations Officer
Col. Conrad Reynolds for US Senate

*LCRC does not endorse any candidate until after the primary election. This post is for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes an endorsement by the LCRC. LCRC will post press releases from any Republican candidate who submits them to email:webmaster@lonokegop.com .

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Joe the Plumber Campaigning for Col Conrad Reynolds

The following is a press release from the Reynolds campaign:

Conway- Republican United States Senate candidate Col. Conrad Reynolds (U.S. Army, Ret.) today announced further details regarding his upcoming Arkansas speaking tour with special guest Joe the Plumber. Colonel Reynolds and Joe the Plumber will tour Arkansas for three days starting in Hot Springs Village on Monday January 25th and ending in Rogers on January 27th. Each event will feature speeches by Col. Reynolds, Joe, and members of the local community, followed by a chance for pictures and personal face time with Col. Reynolds and Joe. Arkansans have demanded a candidate who not only has a message they can support, but a resume that proves they can get the job done once the elections are over and the real work begins. Please come and take this opportunity to find out more about Col. Reynolds and why he is the best guy for the job. Monday (25 Jan 2010) 9:00am Hot Springs Village at the Coronado Community Center 150 Ponderosa Way, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 11:30am Little Rock at the Little Rock Club Ste 2435—30th Floor, 400 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201 7:00pm Little Rock at the Whole Hog Café 2516 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72202 Tuesday (26 Jan 2010) 9:00am Fairfield Bay at the VFW 2531 Highway 330 South Fairfield Bay, AR 72153 12:00pm Mountain Home the VFW 214 West 7th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 5:00pm Jonesboro at the Hilton Garden Inn 2840 South Caraway Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA 72401 7:30pm Searcy at the Lightle Senior Center 2200 East Moore Avenue, Searcy, AR 72143 Wednesday (27 Jan 2010) 8:00am Fort Smith at the Holiday Inn 700 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901 11:45am Rogers at Mad Pizza 2603 West Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, AR 72758

*LCRC does not endorse any candidate until after the primary election. This post is for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes an endorsement by the LCRC. LCRC will post press releases from any Republican candidate who submits them to webmaster@lonokegop.com .

2010 Republican Senate Race Heats Up in Arkansas

Big things are happening in the Republican race for US Senate in Arkansas. Blanche Lincoln's poll numbers are falling like a rock and even the liberal blog DailyKos is now calling on her to resign. According to The Tolbert Report though, Lincoln's organization doesn't seem to be making preparations to throw in the towel. Instead it appears to be digging in for what promises to be a difficult campaign.

Here's a rundown on the GOP field as it currently stands.

Jim Holt

The already crowded field will take one more player next week when Jim Holt formally announces his candidacy. From Arkansas Watch

Former State Senator Jim Holt, who led the GOP ticket in the 2006 statewide elections, will announce his candidacy in the 2010 U.S. Senate race at a series of events to be held January 14th.

Holt took 44% of the vote in his 2004 loss to Sen. Blanche Lincoln the last time she ran for re-election. Some are tagging him the best chance to beat Lincoln after her vote for Harry Reid's health care bill last month. That vote, combined with the general hostility to the Democrat Party, has many predicting Holt can fare much better in November than he did six years ago

Gilbert Baker

Holt's announcement may cause some Republicans in the state to rethink their positions. Many, like Bill Vickery, have been calling for other candidates to clear out and permit State Senator Gilbert Baker to preserve his cash and energy for a general election slug fest with Senator Lincoln. Vickery says "If the Republican Party doesn't clear the field and make Gilbert Baker the lone nominee, then we are foolish."

Most consider Baker the favorite in the race for now though. After his first place finish in the Republican Party of Arkansas' straw poll last month, and his double-digit lead over Lincoln in the latest Rasmussen poll, Vickery's not the only one who's tagging Baker the man to beat in this race.

Curtis Coleman

Though Vickery and others have placed their bets on Baker, central Arkansas businessman Curtis Coleman isn't showing any signs of throwing in the towel. Coleman remains active on social networking sites and continues to travel the state meeting voters. He continues to hammer away at Lincoln and tackle issues on his blog and has recently added several new members to his campaign team.

Recently, Coleman announced the appointment of Matt Lagrone as his campaign’s statewide Political Director. “I am delighted to have Matt help direct our statewide grassroots efforts. He is an experienced political professional and committed conservative who wants to change the way things are done in Washington,” Coleman said. And today announced the addition of Mike Hudome as media consultant for the campaign.

Colonel Conrad Reynolds

Last month the campaign started with a flurry of press releases demanding Lincoln address several issues, including insulting comments by high ranking Democrats in Arkansas and union attack ads against Gilbert Baker which included the publicizing of his home phone number. Reynolds' campaign demanded Lincoln abandon the secret negotiations to honor President Obama's previous calls for transparency in the health care debate.

Then the campaign went almost silent the latter half of the month after his campaign manager, K. Ryan James, announced he was stepping down to pursue other interests. We'd seen little activity in the news and on social networking sites where Reynolds had been active.

But the Colonel informs us he simply took a little time off and has no intention of bowing out of the race. He assures us he has a busy January planned, including Joe the Plumber coming in later this month to campaign for him. Reynolds also says, "You will notice a slight shift in priorities over the next few weeks -- a strategy that I believe will win me the primary."

Fred Ramey

Fred Ramey continues to travel the state and says "We are finding that a blue-collar conservative candidate with a sincere desire to make a difference for all Arkansans is exactly what many people want." Ramey remains convinced his blue-collar background and farming experience can beat Blanche Lincoln in the general election.

He admits he had hoped the candidate field would have narrowed by now, but says the campaign is making inroads. Not that he thinks the competition is a bad thing. In fact, he reiterates his committment to running a positive campaign and states that if the other candidates do likewise "this will strengthen the party’s hand now and in the future."

Kim Hendren

Kim Hendren points to his lead over Lincoln in the latest Rasmussen poll and claims others show him leading the GOP primary. His committment to the race was recently demonstrated when he pumped $200,000 of his own money into the campaign. Pointing to the fact that some of the money his competition has raised cannot be used in the primary, Hendren says his campaign cash gives him the advantage.

Hendren states he's developing a solid volunteer organization across the state, and says he's "especially honored to have state party vice-chairman Duane Neal serving as one of my key supporters and advisers."

He also tells us the campaign will soon announce upcoming fundraisers in Central Arkansas on February 4 and Northwest Arkansas on February 6.

Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers tells us he has no plans of throwing in the towel either. He's continuing to travel the state with upcoming events scheduled across the state. Rogers says his varied background in business, health care, and the military is resonating with voters. He says he's "gratified by increased name recognition and support as I travel the state."

Tom Cox

We were unable to contact Tom Cox for this article, but will include an update on his campaign as soon as it's available.

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RPA Winter Republican Leadership Summit

The Republican Party of Arkansas has announced its Winter Republican Leadership Summit will be held December 5th at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. The all day events will include the state committee meeting and grassroots training sessions, but the main event is likely to be the Iowa-style Straw Poll for the Party's candidates to replace US Senator Blanche Lincoln in 2010.

Tickets to the event are $15 per person, but will only be sold in blocks of 10. Anyone can purchase a ticket to attend the events at the summit, but only guests with a current Arkansas driver’s license, a current Arkansas College/University ID, or a current voter registration card, and must be at least 18 years old by November 3rd 2010 will be allowed to vote in the straw poll.

Curtis Coleman is actively seeking your vote in the Straw Poll via Facebook. If you can be a delegate or a delegate captain for Coleman, he asks that you please contact Brandon Scaife at BRANDON.SCAIFE@CURTISCOLEMAN.COM as soon as possible.

Arkansas State Senator Gilbert Baker posted a request for support in the Straw Poll on his Facebook wall and Fred Ramey informed us via Facebook he will also be participating.

Colonel Conrad Reynolds is encouraging his Republican supporters to turn out also. “I look forward to seeing all Republican Senate candidates in Hot Springs and the opportunity to speak to thousands of Arkansans about how we can restore our voice in Washington,” said Reynolds in a September 29 press release.

State Senator Kim Hendren is looking forward to the straw poll as well. "I would like to join the other candidates in asking for folks' to turn out and cast their vote. It should be a good learning experience for all of us," he said in response to our query via his website.

Buddy Rogers told us, "I am participating in the December 5 straw poll to be held in Hot Springs. I encourage my supporters to attend. I will not be buying more than the required number of tickets the event because I can better judge my actual support relying on those supporters who are willing to buy their own tickets from their county committees rather than manufacturing 'support' by buying it. Although I don't expect to win the straw poll, a strong showing will be immensely encouraging."

When asked if he'll be participating, founder of Arkansas Tea Party, Inc. Tom Cox said "Yes. We're looking forward to it." Cox also announced he'll be happy to provide tickets for his supporters who contact his campaign and request them.

With a crowded field of 7 announced Republican candidates already in the race, this a great opportunity to get a feel for where each stands and make your voice heard on who will be the Republican nominee to face Blanche Lincoln in 2010.

Since tickets will only be sold in blocks of 10, please complete the form below if you're interested in attending. We'll contact you to collect for your tickets once we have a group of 10 who desire to attend. We'll then make arrangements to collect payment for your tickets, we'll purchase the tickets, then get them delivered to you. Since tickets are only sold in blocks of 10, we'll need to collect payment in advance and assign groups on a first come, first served basis.

LCRC has not endorsed a candidate in the 2010 race for US Senate and purchasing your ticket through LCRC in no way obligates you to vote for a particular candidate, or in a bloc with others in your group. We are providing this service as a means to make it easier for you to participate in the conference and straw poll, not to solicit support for any particular candidate.

LCRC October Meeting Report

LCRC held its September meeting on Monday, October 12. Though the weather didn't really encourage folks to leave the house, we still had a pretty good turnout.

Recent events make the importance of our mission even more obvious as congressional Democrats demonstrate they're perfectly willing to run roughshod over the Constitution to ram President Obama's agenda down our throats. Ignoring the will of the people evidenced by the success of the Tea Parties and 912 movements, Senate Democrats (including our own Blanche Lincoln) passed the latest version of the President's government takeover of the nation's health care system.

Now is the time to get involved, and help turn the tide of Socialism pushed by Democrats in DC!

As the 2010 elections approach, our committee is drawing a lot of Republican candidates as speakers so these meetings are a great way to get to know those running for office next year. Over the past several months we've heard from candidates for local, state, and federal office. This month Mark Darr and Colonel Conrad Reynolds addressed our group. Darr is running for Lieutenant Governor next year and Col. Reynolds is vying for the US Senate seat currently held by Lincoln.

Darr is a graduate of Mansfield High School and Ouachita Baptist University. He currently owns his own business, operating Larry's Pizza franchises. He owned his own insurance agency before entering the restaurant business and believes his experience as a business owner provides an excellent background to be a great Lieutenant Governor. Darr and his wife currently reside in Springdale where she is an elementary school teacher.

In his address to the Committee, Darr explained that he chose to run for office because he's "enjoying life, but not enjoying the status quo." He believes Arkansas currently creates an environment that's not business friendly, costing Arkansans jobs and opportunities. With Democrats holding every statewide elected office, he believes we need people in these positions to stand against DC Democrats' efforts to make it even harder for small business owners to create jobs. As it stands now, Arkansas state government is little more than a rubber stamp for the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda.

Darr opposes the Arkansas Lottery and considers it a tax on the poor. He believes our state and country need more business owners and veterans running for office and fewer professional politicians. If elected, he plans to push for the creation of a website that tracks where every dollar from the state treasury is spent in an effort to guarantee accountability and responsibility in state government.

Colonel Reynolds graduated from Batesville High School in 1978, but it was the last in a long line of schools he attended in his educational career. His father was an Arkansas State Policeman so the family moved around the state quite a bit during the Colonel's childhood. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas.

His service to the country began when he enlisted in the Army Reserves while still a college student at UCA. He was compelled to enlist by the Iran Hostage Crisis and a feeling that he "had to do something." After receiving his Bachelor's of Science degree from UCA in 1982, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on active duty. He devoted the next 26 years of his life to the United States Army, working the vast majority of that time in the intelligence field and retiring last January.

Reynolds believes his experience as an intelligence officer in the Army will serve him and Arkansas well in the United States Senate. He pointed out that only 23% of the current members of the US Congress have any military experience, let alone 26 years as an intelligence officer. The leadership and managerial skills developed under difficult circumstances, and often in very fragile situations, provide him an insight that's increasingly scarce in the halls of Congress.

Colonel Reynolds recognizes his military career also provides him with a unique tie to Arkansas veterans. He understands the difficulties faced by today's active duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen, those faced by deploying reserve and National Guard troops, and veterans who've separated from the service. Reynolds hopes these ties will motivate Arkansas' 270,000 veterans to support his bid for the US Senate, and believes their support will propel him to victory in the Republican primary.

Reynolds claims another strength that none of the other contenders have is his lack of political ties. He stated "not one dime" he's collected for his campaign has come from a political action committee. "I don't owe anything [political favors] to anybody," he said. He believes this isn't the time for more professional politicians in the US Senate.

He also makes the case that he has no skeletons hiding in his closet, nothing for Lincoln to exploit in the general election next year. Reynolds still holds a Top Secret security clearance and his last polygraph was administered by the CIA. In other words, he has no "soft spots" for Democrats to attack. This is a strength rarely ever enjoyed by a prospective politician, and one that may help him greatly in this campaign.

You can visit the websites of Mark Darr and Colonel Conrad Reynolds to learn more about them and their plans to serve our state and country.

Join us next month on November 9 at Grandpa's BBQ in Cabot and help Lonoke County be instrumental in taking our country back in 2010!

*As always, the Lonoke County Republican Committee doesn't endorse any candidate until after the Arkansas Republican primary election. This report is offered only for informational purposes and should not be considered an endorsement for any candidate.

LCRC Monthly Meeting Tomorrow

The Lonoke Country Republican Committee will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 pm at Grandpa's BBQ in Cabot. If you're deeply involved in politics or just curious about what goes on, we'd love to have you join us. You can view or download the minutes from last month's meeting or the agenda for tomorrow using the links below.

LCRC October Agenda	View	Download
LCRC September Minutes	View	Download

The Republican Party remains locked in an ideological battle with our opponents at all levels of government. On issues from abortion to health care to tax policy, a recently reinvigorated conservative movement has dealt a blow to the liberal agenda proposed (and already partially imposed on us) by Democrats who now control the White House and both houses of Congress. The party of President Obama, House Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Reid, remains firmly in control of Arkansas' Executive and Legislative branches as well.

If you're one of a growing majority who find themselves alienated, isolated, and frustrated by a government that continues to dismantle the foundation upon which the United States became the greatest country in the world, please join us in our efforts to elect strong conservative candidates who will truly and honestly represent Arkansas values and interests in Washington.

In that spirit, we work to introduce you to Republican candidates for local, state, and federal offices. This month, Colonel Conrad Reynolds and Mark Darr will address the committee. Reynolds is running for the US Senate seat currently held by Blanche Lincoln and Darr is running for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor.

So join us to get a first-hand, up close look at these candidates and meet like-minded conservatives working hard to make sure we elect folks who will represent Arkansas' values.