State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe earned a major endorsement in her effort to earn her party’s nomination in the state’s safely Republican 3rd district: Former GOP Rep. Asa Hutchinson.

Hutchinson held the seat for three terms before Rep. John Boozman, who is leaving the seat to run for the Republican Senate nomination.

“I am endorsing Cecile for Congress because she has the heart, the convictions and the toughness to protect our freedoms and fight for Arkansas,” Hutchinson said in a Monday statement. “Cecile will not cave in to the special interest groups and power brokers who want a government controlled health care system. She has the charm of a Southern lady but the convictions of a Margaret Thatcher.”

After Boozman decided to go for the Senate, Hutchinson was seen as the only Republican with potential to clear the candidate field in the 3rd district. But he passed on the race, setting up a crowded primary among several lesser-known candidates.

Besides Bledsoe, the Republican candidates are Rogers Mayor Steve Womack; retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Bernie Skoch; and Steve Lowry, a former special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.