By Doug Thompson
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE — Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Bernard Skoch, 57, of Elkins announced his GOP primary challenge to incumbent 3rd District Rep. John Boozman of Rogers at a Monday night rally attended by at least 100 supporters and onlookers.
“Our country, I believe, is in dire straits and something has to change,” said Skoch. The national debt has surpassed $11 trillion. Economic and budget policy are out of control, he said: “To call it lunacy would give lunacy a bad name.”
This is Skoch’s first bid for political office. He was endorsed at his announcement at the Fayetteville Town Center by local and regional representatives of the Independence Caucus, a conservative group that oppose government-funded bailout programs. Skoch was chairman of the Arkansas Independence Caucus before stepping down to make this race.
“Is it conservative enough to vote to increase the national debt to $11.3 trillion?” Skoch asked his audience Monday, referring to a comment by Boozman that the congressman’s never been accused of not being conservative enough. “Is it conservative enough to co-sponsor 34 bills, 31 of them raising spending?”
Skoch was director of all Air Force communications systems before retiring, according to a biography of him produced by that service upon his retirement. “General Skoch is responsible for developing policies and procedures for communications enterprise operations and maintenance, and ensuring nearly 100,000 Air Force communications and information professionals are trained, organized and equipped for full-spectrum operations,” according to the biography.
If elected, Skoch will represent the district, saying that Boozman voted for government assistance to the financial sector after public acknowledging that the large majority of calls from his district were against it.
Boozman was elected in 2001 in a special election. Jerry Coon, 47, of Rogers has announced against Boozman as an independent candidate. Coon will have to gather 2,000 registered voter petition signatures to appear on the ballot. State Democratic Party officials have also announced plans to have a challenger to Boozman in 2010.
Skoch did not enter the race lightly and was asked by many fellow Republicans not to challenge the last remaining GOP member of the Arkansas delegation, he said. However, he said that recent spending authorized by Congress that Boozman has voted for has led to a level of government spending that cannot be maintained. “Our parties are working to preserve the parties,” he said.
The general described his campaign as winnable one but will be both difficult and outspent. “I ask you for your passionate support,” he said.
