Posted on 02/24/2005 2:39:05 PM PST by HAL9000
LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller has informed state Republican officials that he will definitely run for governor in 2006.
Rockefeller stated his intentions in a letter dated Monday to members of the state Republican Party, state committee and executive committee.
"I want you to be the first to know," Rockefeller said. "I look forward to working with you in the coming months to bring about a new era of excellence for Arkansas."
He said he would formally announce his candidacy after the Legislature adjourns. He was not immediately available for comment Thursday.
In his letter, Rockefeller said "overwhelming numbers" of Arkansas Republicans had encouraged him to run for governor. He said he had discussed the demands of a gubernatorial campaign with his wife and family and they had expressed enthusiastic support for him to run.
The billionaire son of the former Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller has made no secret of his desire to follow in his father's footsteps. His announcement would appear to set up a high-profile GOP primary next year pitting Rockefeller against former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, who resigned as undersecretary of the federal Homeland Security Department this year after being passed over by President Bush to head the agency.
Hutchinson, whose resignation is effective March 1, has not yet said what his political plans are. He did not immediately return an e-mail message sent to him Thursday and his office had no immediate comment.
Hutchinson's brother, former U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson, was at the state Capitol on Thursday and said both Asa and Rockefeller would make good candidates.
"They're both good men and two good gentlemen," Tim Hutchinson said. "It would be a healthy race for the party and I don't think it would tear the party apart."
Tim Hutchinson said he spoke with his brother Wednesday and understood that Asa could not fully discuss his political plans until his resignation. But Tim Hutchinson said his brother told him he has a busy speaking schedule in Arkansas throughout March and April.
"I don't know what he is going to decide, but he's certainly giving this serious consideration if he's going to be going to every Lincoln Day dinner he's been invited to," Tim Hutchinson said. "As soon as he's out of Homeland Security, he'll be making an announcement. He's going to be all over the state."
The Democratic opposition will probably be Wesley Clark or Attorney General Mike Beebe. Either of them would be a formidable opponent.
This and the Lynn Swann news,things are shaping up.
Namedrop: This is my boss's former brother in law.
What I always found amusing is that Winthrop Rockefeller was usually considered an "outsider" among the Rockefeller cousins (because his father had been such, among the Rockefeller brothers)--but yet, despite his "outsidedness," and the alcoholism that afflicted his father, this cousin appears wealthier, healthier, and happier than his fringe-left cousins.
Wesley Clark? Really?
Is he putting his name out as an interested candidate?
Or are the politicos just throwing his name around to see what kind of reaction they'll get?
Yes, but it would obviously be the prelude to another presidential bid. The fact that he has never held elective office was a knock against him last year.
Clark visited the Arkansas legislature last week for the first time.
HAL9000, can you can point me to any info on Rockefeller's position on key issues affecting Arkansas?
Also, any chance that Jim Holt may throw his hat in the ring as well?
Are any of the guys related to the NY Rockefellers...these guys confuse me as much as the Kennedy clan sometimes and who is who.???????
I'm shocked. Or not.
Interesting that Asa would try for this, too. He's been rumored to be wanting this, that, and the other thing for the last couple years now. I woulda liked him to run against Blanche Lincoln last year .... don't know that he can take Win ...
Some bio info:
Born September 17, 1948, Lt. Gov. Rockefeller is the son of the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and grandson of the late John D. Rockefeller, Jr. He attended Pembroke College at the University of Oxford and is a graduate of the ranch management program at Texas Christian University. Rockefeller is the father of eight children. He and his wife, Lisenne, maintain homes at Winrock Farms in Conway County and in Little Rock.
His campaign web site is www.winrock.com. It hasn't been updated recently, but I expect that will change soon. He is not as conservative as Hutchinson, but I think he has a better chance of winning.
Also, any chance that Jim Holt may throw his hat in the ring as well?
There is a lot of speculation about that, so it's possible. If Holt enters the race, he would split votes away from Asa Hutchinson, not Rockefeller. It's also speculated that Holt may run for Lt. Governor and wait for a later contest to run for governor.
I should have thought of that....thanks
Win Rockefeller?
What is his relation to Nelson?
Bump
Same thoughts.
Thanks.
Before the term RINO, we called the republican left wing "Rockefeller Republicans".
Nelson's nephew.
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