Wednesday, September 9, 2009

— State Sen. Kim Hendren of Gravette said Tuesday his name will be on the ballot in the May 18 Republican primary election for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Blanche Lincoln.

Hendren announced hiscandidacy in April. However, after receiving criticism over his references to a senator's religion and a judge's ethnicity, Hendren backpedaled,saying he was "still testing the waters." But he said Tuesday he definitely will be a candidate.

"I found out very quickly that it's a contact sport, and you have to have tough skin to deal with it," Hendren said. "You get quoted out of context, and sometimes a guy makes a mistake."

Hendren admits he has a tendency to speak his mind but insists it's with no malicious intent - religious, racial or otherwise.

"I believe people want somebody who's real," he said, "and the real people don't always get it right.They make mistakes, but so help me God, I didn't go out there to hurt anybody."

Speaking to the Pulaski County Republican Party in May, Hendren said he forgot the name of Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York. Instead, Hendren said he referred to Schumer as a Jew or Jewish. Hendren apologized for the remark.

Then, during a legislative committee meeting in July, Hendren referred to U.S. District Judge Brian Miller as "this new minority judge."

Hendren told reporters he referred to Miller, who is black, as "this new minority judge" because of criticism by some this year against Lincoln and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., for not recommending any black lawyers to President Barack Obama for federal judgeships. Hendren said he meant to "commend" Miller as an exemplary federal judge.

Then-President George W. Bush appointed Miller, who took office last year, with the recommendations of Pryor and Lincoln.

"I don't think a person's color or religion has anything to do with it," Hendren said Tuesday. "It's performance that counts."

Hendren served for two years in the state House of Representatives and 11 years so far in the state Senate. Hendren said he believes he has the best record to serve as Arkansas' next U.S. senator.

"I've got the record," he said. "It's not all perfect. The Schumer comment is in there."

Hendren said his initial remark was in response to Schumer's comments on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show in April. Schumer said, "The hard right, which still believes that when the federal government moves, we chop off its hands, still believes in the traditional values kind of arguments, in strong foreign policy; all that is over."

Hendren said he disagreed with Schumer's comments.

"There is a Jew with whom I agree, and his nameis Jesus Christ," Hendren said Tuesday.

Hendren owns Hendren Autoplex across the state line from Bella Vista in Pineville, Mo. The business sells Ford, Plymouth, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Hendren is losing his Chevrolet line because of the bankruptcy of General Motors, but he said a NAPA auto parts store will replace that dealership and will service cars and trucks. Hendren also owns used car dealerships in Gravette and Noel, Mo.

Hendren said he has never asked for money during campaigns before, and he has no intention to start now.

"I have never asked for money in my life," he said. "I ask for their vote and voluntary support."

Hendren said the paperwork is filled out and ready to be presented to the secretary of state's office in Little Rock when the March filing date rolls around.

Other Republicans in the U.S. Senate race include state Sen. Gilbert Baker and retired Col. Conrad Reynolds, both of Conway; businessmen Curtis Coleman and Tom Cox, both of Little Rock; and Fred Ramey of Searcy. Buddy Rogers, a financial adviser in Rogers, said Tuesday he will formally announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination within two weeks.

Greenland Mayor John Gray announced Monday he is a Green Party candidate in the race.

Lincoln also may face a challenge for her party's nomination. State Sen. President Pro Tempore Bob Johnson of Bigelow has said he's thinking about it and will make up his mind soon.

Coleman was criticized in June for a comment he made at a Benton County GOP gathering. Stressing the difference between Northwest and southeast Arkansas, he said, "You go from here to southeast Arkansas, and you might as well get a visa and shots because I'm telling you the world changes."

Coleman later said he apologized if the comment offended anyone, adding that it was in no way meant to be racial in nature. The population of southeast Arkansas is predominately black. The population of Benton County is 92 percent white, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate.

Lincoln is seeking her third six-year term in the Senate. The general election will be Nov. 2, 2010.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9, 14 on 09/09/2009