Today on The Trail, we’re taking a look at Arkansas, where all of the headlines have been focusing on that tight Senate race between Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton, and the impact of former Gov. Bill Clinton and current Gov. Mike Beebe.
‘ARKANSAS IN DOUBT’: As the New York Times‘ Amy Chozick characterized the race this week, “Democrats face tough challenges in a state that is drifting right. Their popular governor must leave office because of term limits, and outside interests loom larger in a race that may determine control of the Senate.” (More: New York Times)
UPHILL BATTLE FOR DEMOCRATS: If the major focus of this year’s midterm elections is whether or not the Democrats will keep control of the Senate after November 4, then Arkansas is the state to watch–and a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll shows why: current Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor only leads his Republican challenger Tom Cotton by 2 points, with 7% of those polled still undecided. The poll also notes that health care is a top issue for Arkansas voters–which could help Pryor, who voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act, in the end.
The governor’s race doesn’t look any better for Democrats either: Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson currently leads Democratic candidate Mike Ross by 2 points with 11% undecided. (More: USA TODAY)
THE ‘BUBBA’ BOOST: Former president and Arkansas governor Bill Clinton will hit the campaign trail for the Arkansas Democratic Party, and headline four rallies on Oct. 6 and 7. Clinton is still a popular figure in Arkansas, whereas President Obama is not. (More: Washington Post)
Traci Lee