By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — One brandished a blue tarp, another promised to do away with two big federal agencies, a third touted military credentials and a fourth pledged to fight high taxes, big government and illegal immigration.

Four more Republicans filed to run for the U.S. Senate on Monday, rounding out a field of eight candidates vying for the GOP nomination to face whoever emerges from a Democratic primary that includes embattled incumbent Blanche Lincoln, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and newcomer D.C. Morrison.

State Sen. Gilbert Baker and Conrad Reynolds, both of Conway, and Springdale residents Randy Alexander and former state Sen. Jim Holt joined U.S. Rep. John Boozman of Rogers, Fred Ramey of Searcy, state Sen. Kim Hendren of Gravette and Curtis Coleman of Little Rock in the Republican primary.

Alexander, who said he was taking leave from his job as executive director of housing at the University of Arkansas’ Fayetteville campus to run for the Senate, described himself as a “constitutional conservative.”

He said he would work to do away with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if elected.

Funding for education and health and human services programs would go directly to the states, bypassing many of the federal requirements and mandates currently in place, he said.

“A majority of the problems stem from the fact that our leaders don’t follow the Constitution,” Alexander said.

Baker held a large blue tarp while speaking to reporters, saying it represented the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP), the $700 billion federal bailout of troubled financial institutions.

“Federal bailouts are not the answer to create jobs and economic growth,” he said, adding that his $4.88 tarp was a much better value than TARP.

Baker said he supports a federal balanced budget amendment and would work to address the rising deficit.

“This is a crucial time, America is at a crossroads,” Baker said. “The bottom line is Washington is broken.”

Holt, who garnered 44 percent of the vote in a failed run against Lincoln in 2004, said he favors lower taxes and smaller government, and that he would fight to curb illegal immigration.
The former state representative and state senator said he has a strong conservative record on those issues, something he said his GOP opponents lack.

“When you look at (my) record, that’s the thing that makes (me) stand out more than anybody,” Holt said.

Reynolds, a retired Army colonel, said his lack of political experience was actually a plus, along with his 30 years of military service.

“I think I have the skills, background and the life experiences to represent Arkansas better than other candidates in this race,” he said. “This year the people want somebody different, they want somebody that doesn’t owe anybody anything, and I don’t.”

Lincoln, who is seeking a third term, has been plagued by sagging poll numbers and buffeted with criticism from both ends of the political spectrum.

Halter has received millions of dollars in pledges from grassroots liberal groups and labor unions.