Republican war veteran Tom Cotton is favored over Democratic state Sen. Gene Jeffress in the contest for the House seat in Arkansas’ 4th District.
The seat was opened by the retirement of six-term Democratic Rep. Mike Ross. Real Clear Politics rates the race as a likely win for Cotton.
The 35-year-old Republican is a sixth-generation Arkansas native who graduated with honors from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He appears to have the credentials to become a true GOP star.
After clerking for a U.S. Court of Appeals judge and working in private practice, Cotton joined the Army. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star Medal and other commendations. After leaving the Army, Cotton worked for McKinsey, one of the country’s top consulting firms.
Jeffress has served in the state Senate for nine years. From 1999 to 2001 he was a member of the state House. Jeffress previously worked as a music teacher. He graduated from the University of Arkansas, Monticello.
Cotton was endorsed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His campaign had $338,000 on hand as of June 30, compared to only $5,000 for Jeffress.
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