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Arkansas: Darr May Be First Republican in Senate Race

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, a Republican, is planning a Senate bid to take on Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor, according to a report in National Journal.

Pryor, a Democrat in a state that has trended very Republican, was uncontested in his 2008 re-election race. How difficult a battle he faces in 2014 will be determined by who ends up as the Republican nominee.

Though it’s still very early, Republican ranks appear thin in the Razorback State.

Rep. Tim Griffin has said he won’t mount a bid for Senate in 2014. Sophomore Rep. Steve Womack is considered unlikely to run given that he’s in a very safe Republican district, which he could easily hold for many terms to come.

Republicans are, reportedly, already working to woo freshman Rep. Tom Cotton to take the plunge, but he was just sworn in to Congress this month.

Republicans tell CQ Roll Call that there are some potential self-funders in Arkansas quietly eyeing the Senate race as well.

A spokesman for Darr didn’t return an email seeking to confirm the report.

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