Current:Home > InvestState senator to challenge Womack in GOP primary for US House seat in northwest Arkansas -Prosperity Pathways
State senator to challenge Womack in GOP primary for US House seat in northwest Arkansas
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:42:58
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — State Sen. Clint Penzo on Monday said he’ll challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Womack in the Republican primary next year for a northwest Arkansas congressional district.
Penzo filed paperwork with the state to run for the 3rd District seat that Womack was first elected to in 2010. Penzo, a real estate agent from Springdale, was elected to the state Senate last year and previously served three terms in the Arkansas House.
Penzo criticized Womack as not conservative enough for the district, saying the incumbent congressman “lost touch” with his constituents.
“The difference between Steve Womack and me is that I told the voters I would be a conservative fighter they could trust, and I have stood firm. I haven’t changed,” Penzo said in a news release.
Womack’s reelection campaign has more than $2 million cash on hand and he has the support of the state’s top Republicans. After Penzo said earlier this month that he was considering challenging the incumbent lawmaker, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sen. Tom Cotton and Sen. John Boozman endorsed Womack’s reelection bid.
“Elections are about choices and are a contest of ideas. That’s the genius of America,” Womack said in a statement after Penzo launched his bid. “I’m proud to live in a country where the people get to decide. I will always do what I think is right, take care of my district, and be focused on our national security.”
Womack easily won reelection last year in the heavily Republican district with more than 63% of the vote.
Penzo criticized Womack for opposing Rep. Jim Jordan’s unsuccessful bid to replace ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Womack instead voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who withdrew his bid after facing opposition from GOP hardliners. Womack ultimately voted for Mike Johnson, who was elected speaker.
Womack called his vote for Scalise “matter of principle.”
“He defeated Mr. Jordan in our conference vote and then was promptly kneecapped before he could win over his opponents,” Womack said at the time.
Caitlin Draper, a social worker, is running as a Democrat for Womack’s seat. Tuesday is the last day for candidates to qualify for the ballot in Arkansas.
veryGood! (513)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Rooftop Solar Keeps Getting More Accessible Across Incomes. Here’s Why
- Apple, Android users on notice from FBI, CISA about texts amid 'massive espionage campaign'
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
- Analysis: After Juan Soto’s megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
- Rooftop Solar Keeps Getting More Accessible Across Incomes. Here’s Why
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Joe Burrow’s home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Apple, Android users on notice from FBI, CISA about texts amid 'massive espionage campaign'
- A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- What is Sora? Account creation paused after high demand of AI video generator
- This drug is the 'breakthrough of the year' — and it could mean the end of the HIV epidemic
- How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Michael Cole, 'The Mod Squad' and 'General Hospital' actor, dies at 84
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Mitt Romney’s Senate exit may create a vacuum of vocal, conservative Trump critics
OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora to all customers
New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill