Newt Gingrich protege Princella Smith has formed an exploratory committee to look at a possible Republican race for the 1st District seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Rep. Marion Berry. Smith was raised in Wynne and is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University. In addition former U.S. House Speaker Gingrich, Smith was communications director for [...]

Amanda Manatt, director of the state House Communications Office, advises that House proceedings during the upcoming legislative session will be broadcast live on the following channels: • Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Sherwood and Bryant: Comcast Channel 18, and KETS, Channel 202 • Conway: Conway Corp., Channel 115 • Berryville, Eureka Springs, Green Forest, Fort Smith, Cedarville, [...]

Sen. Blanche Lincoln reports that she met with First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House today to discuss ways to combat childhood obesity. As chairman of the Senate’s Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Lincoln will oversee reauthorization this year of the Child Nutrition Act. “The prevalence of childhood obesity is an alarming trend, with one in [...]

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack says he’s formed an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential campaign for the 3rd District congressional seat in western and northwestern Arkansas. The incumbent, John Boozman of Rogers, is expected to announce this weekend that he will run for the U.S. Senate. Womack, a Republican, isn’t the first Northwest Arkansas politician to [...]

Sarah Palin is headed to Arkansas for a fundraiser this month, but Arkansans still like their resident would-be 2012 Republican presidential aspirant, as poll results from our content partner, TalkBusiness, show.

The head of Arkansas’ utility regulatory agency is staying put. State Public Service Commission Chairman Paul Suskie says he’s decided against running for the open 2nd District congressional seat. The 38-year-old Democrat from North Little Rock who lost to Dustin McDaniel in a Democratic Party runoff for attorney general four years ago says he seriously considered [...]

U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder’s chief of staff, David Boling, has resigned effective immediately, Snyder’s office reports. Boling’s resignation comes two weeks after Snyder announced he would not run for re-election this year. UPDATE: Roby Brock reports that Boling will run for Synder’s seat.

Second District Republican hopeful Tim Griffin says he has the endorsement of the last Republican elected to represent Central Arkansas in Congress. The endorsement is from Ed Bethune, who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 and served until 1985. “Tim Griffin will make an outstanding congressman,” Bethune is quoted as [...]

Gov. Mike Beebe says he’s not interested in running for anything except a second term as governor. Talking to reporters after today’s meeting of the Little Rock Political Animals Club, Beebe said no one has asked him to run for national office. But he acknowledged recent speculation and said supporters have been calling saying they’ve heard [...]

U.S. Rep Marion Berry is expected to announce Monday he will not seek re-election this year. The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza has details here.