By Zack Stovall
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Republican state Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway, a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate next year, said Wednesday he is more open to running for incumbent Democrat Blanche Lincoln’s seat than he was a month ago.
Baker, a former state GOP chairman who has been mentioned prominantly as a potential challenger to Lincoln’s bid for a third term, said he is not leaning one way or another.
“It would be more accurate to say that I’m simply more open to running,” he said in an interview with the Arkansas News Bureau. “I understand the magnitude of this decision. Right now I’m working through how I would run a U.S. Senate race and maintaining my No. 1 responsibility of being a good dad and a good husband.”
The only announced GOP candidate is state Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, who has drawn criticism for calling New York Sen. Charles Schumer “that Jew” during a recent Pulaski County GOP gathering. Baker has said Hendren’s gaffe would not influence his decision on whether to seek higher office.
Also Wednesday, Baker distanced himself from recent comments by the state Republican Party chief critical of a gay legislator’s sexual orientation.
In recent appearances at Republican functions GOP chairman Doyle Webb warned that ascension to the legislative Joint Budget Committee by state Rep. Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock, would put her in a powerful position to influence state policy, including possible changes to Arkansas’ constitutional ban on gay marriage and an initiated act voters approved in November to ban unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children in the state.
Kathy Webb was House vice chairman of Joint Budget during the recently concluded legislative session. Baker was the panel’s Senate chairman.
“I feel like I worked well with her and (House) Budget Chairman (Bruce) Maloch (D-Magnolia) to put together a good budget for Arkansas,” Baker said. “Do I agree with (Doyle Webb’s) comments? No.”
However, Baker said while he believes in Rep. Webb’s legislative abilities, he “firmly believes that marriage is between a man and a woman.”
“That’s what I believe, that’s what’s right, and that’s what Arkansas believes. We shouldn’t be shy about that,” he said.
Earlier in the year, Baker waived off questions about a possible Senate bid, saying he was too involved in his legislative duties to consider it. Lately, he said, he has had more time to think about issues like the tough economy and job creation.
Baker said he has had numerous informal conversations about what resources a senate bid would require but has no timeline for deciding whether to run.
