All's quiet on election front for Arkansas lawmakers

Last updated Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:11 PM CDT in News

By Aaron Sadler
THE MORNING NEWS

Pryor spokesman Michael Teague said the senator is taking his campaign seriously, which is why he'll be focusing on an all-Arkansas schedule the next few weeks.

"He's in his own race," Teague said. "He's looking forward to traveling the state and telling people his story."

While they may not be traveling elsewhere, Arkansas members of Congress have opened their wallets to help other candidates.

Pryor, who amassed a campaign war chest topping $5 million, has given more than $718,000 to aid other Democrats, according to federal campaign finance reports.

The freshman senator has donated more than $450,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, an organization that funds Democratic Senate contenders across the country. Pryor funneled about $100,000 of his campaign cash to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., for her re-election bid.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee got help from Ross, Snyder and Berry. Ross has contributed more than $133,000 to the committee since 2007, Snyder gave the group $60,000 and Berry donated $175,000.

Boozman has donated $25,000 to a similar Republican group, the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Lincoln has made $155,500 in contributions to others, including $10,000 to Rice in Oklahoma and $5,000 to Warner. She will host a Little Rock fundraiser for Rice, who faces an uphill fight against incumbent Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., on Oct. 22.

Her appearance at a Warner fundraiser is scheduled for Oct. 17 in the Washington suburb of Arlington, Va. Warner has a significant polling lead in his race against Republican Jim Gilmore for an open Senate seat.

Despite Congress' low approval ratings, an Arkansas political expert said Lincoln's help should be beneficial to the Senate aspirants.

"People hate Congress, but they don't necessarily hate their congressmen," said Art English, a professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. "If you have someone like Blanche Lincoln, who is a very charming personality, do a fundraiser for you, there's no reason to refuse that help."

English said he's not too surprised that Arkansas lawmakers are staying in the Natural State this election season.

Congress has been busier than usual in Washington because of the economic crisis, he said.

"I think we're just seeing sparse activity because of the nature of the crisis in the country," English said.

He added that Lincoln and others, by donating their time and money, can expect help, too, if it's needed down the road.

"That would be something Sen. Warner, if it does become Sen. Warner, would be grateful for," he said. "People are grateful for that support and it can be reciprocated if Sen. Lincoln happens to have a difficult election later on."

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