Banker French Hill, the GOP nominee in the open-seat race for retiring Rep. Tim Griffin’s seat, said President Bill Clinton’s impact will be minimal in Arkansas in the midterms.  

Clinton, an Arkansas native and former governor, has hit the campaign trail
for Hill’s opponent, former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, the Democratic nominee. 

“President Clinton has a lot of friends in Arkansas and he usually comes and helps Democratic candidates every cycle,” Hill said in an interview with CQ Roll Call this summer. “But I don’t believe it will have a major impact in this race because I believe the electorate is looking for somebody who’s got a business background, that’s a conservative person to help represent the district.”

Arkansas’ 2nd District is the most competitive in the state. Even then, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried it by a 12-point margin last cycle. But Democrats argue the party has strong roots in the district and Hays is the kind of moderate Democrat who could win there
.

What’s more, with Sen. Mark Pryor’s competitive re-election race topping the ticket, Democrats will target the 2nd District — based in and around Little Rock — to turn out their base. But Hill said the number of competitive races on the ballot, including a competitive gubernatorial contest, will only aid his electoral hopes in November.

“I think the Republican team will be on point for turnout and I believe that will help my race,” Hill said.

Arkansas’ 2nd District is rated a Leans Republican contest by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
Hill’s Team: Jack Sisson (campaign manager), Bob Wickers, The Wickers Group (general consulting), Impact Management (direct mail), Red Right Strategies (digital)  

[field name=iframe]  

Previous Candidate Interviews:

• California’s 31st District: Democrat Pete Aguilar
• Arizona’s 7th District: Democrat Mary Rose Wilcox
• New York’s 18th District: Republican Nan Hayworth
• Senate in Oklahoma: Republican James Lankford
• Arizona’s 7th District: Democrat Ruben Gallego
• Senate in Alaska: Republican Dan Sullivan
• New Hampshire’s 2nd District: Republican Marilinda Garcia
• Utah’s 4th District: Republican Bob Fuehr
• Massachusetts’ 6th District: Democrat Seth Moulton
• New York’s 1st District: Republican Lee Zeldin
• Senate in Kansas: Republican Milton Wolf
• West Virginia’s 2nd: Republican Alex Mooney
• Georgia’s 1st District: Republican Bob Johnson
• Georgia’s 10th District: Republican Mike Collins
• Senate in Minnesota: Republican Julianne Ortman
• Georgia’s 10th District: Republican Donna Sheldon
• California’s 25th District: Democrat Lee Rogers
• Michigan’s 7th District: Democrat Pam Byrnes
• Nevada’s 3rd District: Democrat Erin Bilbray
• Illinois’ 13th District: Democrat Ann Callis
• Ohio’s 6th District: Democrat Jennifer Garrison
• Michigan’s 1st District: Democrat Jerry Cannon
• Montana’s At-Large District: Democrat John Lewis
• New York’s 23rd District: Democrat Martha Robertson
• Senate in North Carolina: Republican Thom Tillis
• Senate in Alaska: Republican Mead Treadwell
• Senate in South Carolina: Republican Lee Bright
• Senate in Iowa: Republican David Young
• Senate in Kentucky: Republican Matt Bevin
• Illinois’ 12th District: Republican Mike Bost
• Idaho’s 2nd District: Republican Bryan Smith
• Michigan’s 14th District: Democrat Rudy Hobbs 
• California’s 45th District: Republican Mimi Walters 
• Senate in Iowa: Republican Matt Whitaker 
• Senate in Nebraska: Republican Shane Osborn
• Minnesota’s 6th District: Republican Tom Emmer
• Minnesota’s 6th District: Democrat Jim Graves
• Florida’s 2nd District: Democrat Gwen Graham 
• Pennsylvania’s 13th District: Democrat Daylin Leach
• Maine’s 2nd District: Democrat Emily Cain

Roll Call Election Map: Race Ratings for Every Seat


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.