Open Seat: Tim Griffin (R) (AR-CD 02) won't seek re-election in 2014

[lib3rtarian]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/g...-term-20632298

GOP Rep. Tim Griffin Won't Run for 3rd Term

By ANDREW DeMILLO Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. October 21, 2013 (AP)

Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin says he won't seek a third term representing central Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Griffin said Monday that he decided not to run again so he can spend more time with his two young children. The unexpected announcement came just days after Griffin said he'd raised more than $208,000 for his re-election bid in the third quarter.

Griffin says he'll serve out his remaining term but has made no decisions about his plans after that.

In November, Griffin was named to the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, becoming the first Republican from Arkansas to serve on the tax-writing panel. At the time, Griffin said he wouldn't run for Arkansas governor or the U.S. Senate because of the appointment.

Any liberty candidates there?

[Brian4Liberty]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/g...-term-20632298

Any liberty candidates there?

Good question.

That retirement is a bit odd, considering he had raised money for re-election and had been given a big committee assignment.

[malkusm]

[Brian4Liberty]

If there is a Tea Party candidate for this GOP Primary, the media probably won't publicize it. As a matter of fact, they seem to be pushing a guy who already may face a Tea Party primary challenge.

Two-term Rep. Tim Griffin’s unexpected retirement announcement will likely spur a crowded GOP primary for a competitive seat that Democrats hope to pick up in 2014.

Democrats had been targeting Arkansas’ 2nd District even before the Republican lawmaker announced Monday he wasn’t running for re-election. On Sunday, Griffin alerted GOP leadership of his retirement after just two terms in the House, according to a national Republican operative.

Hours after Griffin’s announcement, local Republican operatives say there are now a host of potentially strong candidates eyeing bids to succeed him. Some of those GOP candidates are:

State Sen. Jason Rapert, an evangelical Christian who was the chief sponsor of the state’s controversial law that made abortions illegal after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
State Sen. David Sanders, whom GOP operatives say may face a tea party primary challenger if he runs for re-election to his state Senate seat.
State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, a cattle company owner who previously served in the state House before winning his state Senate seat in 2010.
State Rep. Allen Kerr, an insurance company owner elected to the state House in 2008.

http://atr.rollcall.com/gop-retireme...e-in-arkansas/

[TaftFan]

We can't find anyone to run for Senate there against Cotton.

Curtis Coleman, a Ron Paul endorsed businessman, is running against former Rep. and DEA administrator Asa Hutchinson for governor.