LITTLE ROCK — U.S. Rep. French Hill and U.S. Sen. John Boozman have both drawn a primary challenger and a Democratic rival in their bids for re-election next year.
Brock Olree of Searcy filed paperwork at the state Capitol on Monday to run against Hill in the March 1 Republican primary for central Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District seat. Former Little Rock School Board President Dianne Curry was the only Democrat to file to run against Hill.
Hill, a former banking executive who was elected last year, is the only U.S. House member in the state to draw a Republican or Democrat rival in next year's elections. Libertarian Chris Hayes has also filed to run against Hill.
Also Monday, North Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman filed paperwork to challenge Boozman in next year's Republican primary.
Coleman filed at the state Capitol on Monday — the last day of filing for the 2016 Arkansas primary election. Coleman said he began looking at the race about 10 days ago, after supporters urged him to enter the contest.
Coleman said believes he is in a strong position to unseat the incumbent, despite two unsuccessful runs for statewide office previously. He lost in a crowded 2010 Senate primary that Boozman won. He also lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to Asa Hutchinson last year. Hutchinson was eventually elected governor.
Coleman says Boozman's voting record in the Senate is not conservative enough.
Former federal prosecutor Conner Eldridge filed last week to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Boozman,
Boozman filed paperwork Monday at the state Capitol to run for a second term next year.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.