Former federal prosecutor Conner Eldridge has made his bid to unseat Republican U.S. John Boozman official, saying he believes Arkansas voters are ready for new leadership in Washington.
Eldridge filed paperwork Monday at the state Capitol to run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Boozman. Eldridge is the only Democrat who's announced he's running against Boozman, who is seeking a second term.
Eldridge told reporters after filing that he believed voters are frustrated with Washington and ready for a change.
Eldridge is the former U.S. attorney for the western district of Arkansas and stepped down earlier this year as he prepared his Senate campaign. Boozman was first elected in 2010.
On Monday, state election officials opened the one-week period for state, federal and nonpartisan judicial candidates to file paperwork at the Capitol to make their bids official. The filing period ends at noon Nov. 9.
The filing period is earlier than usual after the Legislature voted to move up Arkansas' primary from May to March 1. The move was part of an effort to create a regional nominating contest among Southern states that supporters have dubbed the "SEC primary."
