The state Democratic Party is trying to make political hay out of a tweet today by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kim Hendren.

Hendren posted on Twitter, “Had to sell 5 black angus cows to stay in the game! But we’re in to win and still have a few more cows!!!”

In a follow-up tweet, Hendren said he needed cash to pay the $12,500 filing fee.

In a release headed “Kim Hendren Bets the Farm,” state Democratic Party spokesman Gabe Holmstrom says, “Sen. Hendren may have more cows to sell left in his barn, but lots of Arkansans can’t even afford meat for the dinner table. With a voting history like his, Arkansas might be better served if Kim Hendren stayed on the farm and tended his cattle.”

Gov. Mike Beebe’s office says his statewide call-in shows on the Arkansas Radio Network and the Arkansas Education Television Network are going on hiatus until after the November election.

Both shows have halted production during past election seasons to avoid giving any perceived advantage to the sitting governor.

University of Oklahoma President David Boren, former governor and U.S. senator for the Sooner State, signs a copy of his book “A Letter to America” for state Sen. Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville, at the Arkansas Capitol today. Boren’s visit was arranged by state Sen. Randy Laverty, D-Jasper, and included a talk by Boren and introductions by Gov. Mike Beebe and former Gov. David Pryor. (Photo by John Lyon/Arkansas News Bureau)

Two potential Democratic challengers to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s re-election bid are playing it close to the vest as the March political filing period approaches.

A campaign spokesman for Lt. Gov. Bill Halter says today nothing has changed as Halter eyes a political shift.

“The lieutenant governor continues to focus on his re-election while also considering the available options to best serve Arkansans,” says Halter campaign pitchman Bud Jackson.

Meanwhile, state Senate President Pro Tem Bob Johnson, who previously made noises about a possible U.S. Senate run, says today he is focusing on the current legislative fiscal session and intends to “lay low” for now.

“We’re talking about two subject matters: budget and lottery,” Johnson says.

The one-week filing period for political office starts March 1. The fiscal session is scheduled to recess March 2 and adjourn March 9.

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, Greenwood, Mountainburg, Van Buren, Harrison, Valley Springs, Bella Vista, Bentonville, Farmington, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Colcord, Decatur, Gentry, Siloam Springs: Cox Communications, KAFT, Channel 702
• Brinkley: East Arkansas Video, KETS, Channel 152
• Camden: Cam-Tel Cable, KETG, Channel 251
• Forrest City, Marianna, Wynne, Haynes, Vanndale: East Arkansas Video, KETJ, Channel 251
• Pine Bluff: Pine Bluff Cable, KETS, Channel 252
• Hot Springs: Resort TV Cable, KETG, Channel 252
• Bald Knob, Judsonia, Kensett, Searcy: White County Video, KETS, 251
• Hope, Prescott: Hope Community TV, KETG, Channel 252

AETN will provide the gavel-to-gavel coverage through its new AETN-2 channel. AETN has been providing live broadcasts from the House floor to Comcast Cable in Pulaski County on Channel 18 for more than a decade.

Live streaming video will be available on the House’s Web site starting with the opening of the session at noon Monday, Manattt says. Archived sessions also will be available on the site.

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 saying in a release from Griffin’s campaign. “He is the right person to represent the common sense conservative values of the 2nd District; and, we need more veterans serving in Congress.”

Griffin, a former Karl Rove aide and interim U.S. attorney, is a major in the Army Reserve and was previously deployed to Iraq.

“I am honored to have the support and endorsement of the only person to win the Second District seat as a Republican since 1874,” Griffin said. “Congressman Bethune is well respected among conservatives in Arkansas. He is a former state party chairman, prosecutor, federal agent and a military veteran. I look forward to working with Rep. Bethune as our campaign continues to build momentum and grassroots support.”

Griffin is seeking the GOP nomination for the seat now held by U.S. Rep Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, who recently announced he will not seek re-election. Republicans David Meeks of Conway and Scott Wallace of Little Rock also have said they will run for Snyder’s seat, along with state Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock.

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 he’s running for the U.S. Senate.

“We’re trying to quell that as fast as we can,” the governor said.

Beebe offered this during the meeting at the Governor’s Mansion: “I can tell you unequivocally I have no desire to run for any other political office. I like being the governor. I hope people will let me stay.”

The governor appeared unswayed despite rampant speculation spurred by incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s declining poll numbers and Republican gains elsewhere in the country.

“You can actually affect positively more people’s lives in a shorter period of time and with more unilateral action in this job than I suspect you can in any job except perhaps president of the United States,” Beebe said.

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.

U.S. Rep Mike Ross, D-Prescott, honored former state legislator James Jordan of Monticello and former Navy SEAL Jeremy Wise of Virginia, an Arkansas native, with separate entries today in the Congressional Record.

Jordan died Dec. 27 at the age of 84. He was elected to the state House in 1986 and served for 12 years.

Wise, a 35-year-old private contractor, was killed Dec. 30 in an attack on a CIA outpost near Khost, Afghanistan. He was raised in Arkansas and graduated from Hendrix College in Conway.