By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, announced today he will begin a “Driving for Jobs” bus tour Friday to promote his U.S. Senate campaign and his plan for creating “real, sustainable jobs.”

Also, Republican Senate candidate Curtis Coleman said he would tour eastern Arkansas Wednesday and independent Senate hopeful Trevor Drown was certified for the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Boozman said his three-day bus tour would kick off at 8 a.m. Friday at the World Trade Center in Rogers and would include stops in Harrison, Mountain Home, Batesville, Heber Springs, Searcy, Cabot, Hot Springs, Arkadelphia, Magnolia, Hot Springs Village and Russellville.

Boozman said he will promote a plan that includes simplifying the tax system, lowering taxes, opening new markets in other countries for Arkansas goods, mandating a balanced budget, limiting regulation and educating and retraining the work force.

Meanwhile, Little Rock businessman Coleman said he planned to visit Brinkley, Wynne and Forrest City on Wednesday.

“I’m going to take time to listen to concerns and answer questions, just like I’ll do when I’m representing Arkansans in the U.S. Senate,” Coleman said in a news release.

Also today, Trevor Drown of Russellville announced that the secretary of state’s office has certified him for the general election ballot as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate. No one else submitted signatures to seek a spot on the ballot as an independent Senate candidate.

Boozman and Coleman are among eight Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Blanche Lincoln. Lincoln faces two Democratic challengers, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and Little Rock businessman D.C. Morrison, in the May 18 primary.