Former state Sen. Kevin Smith (D) on Wednesday put to rest rumors that he will challenge Rep. Marion Berry (D) in 2008, despite hammering the incumbent in recent weeks.

Appearing recently on a radio show hosted by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette political columnist Pat Lynch, Smith accused Berry of supporting budget cuts to the Delta Regional Authority, an eight-state development agency.

Smith’s harsh rhetoric prompted speculation in the Razorback State that the former lawmaker was contemplating challenging Berry.

Berry has not had a primary challenger since he was first elected to Congress in 1998.
— Matthew Murray