I just spoke with state Sen. Gilbert Baker, who professed to have heard only maybe a little something about an unfortunate choice of words by Sen. Kim Hendren.

He said he regretted Hendren’s reference, but was glad his Senate colleague had acknowledged and apologized for it.

“It doesn’t reflect his heart,” Baker said. “Kim’s a good person.”

As for his possibly seeking the Republican senatorial nomination, Baker said “nobody believes this, but my decision won’t have anything to do with what anyone else does or who’s in or not in the race. What I hear from people when they talk to me about my possibly running is that they want someone to ask the questions about how much money this federal government is spending and how much control it’s asserting.”

He said his position was unchanged, and he put it precisely this way: “I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I’m watching what’s going on. The landscape changes daily. It’s a very dynamic situation, such as on whether labor will push a primary challenge on the Democratic side. I’m watching everything keeping in mind I have young children at home. But I’m not saying no.”

This report of Roby Brock’s of a candidacy by former Razorback footballer Chris Bequette, now living in Illinois? “I’ve heard that,” Baker said. “I look forward to meeting him.”