French Hill, Conrad Reynolds announce congressional bids in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A Little Rock bank executive and a retired Army colonel on Tuesday said they’re running for the 2nd Congressional District next year, the first Republicans to launch a bid for the central Arkansas seat since U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin announced he wouldn’t seek re-election.

French Hill, the founder and chief executive of Delta Trust & Banking Corp., said in a statement released by his campaign that he was filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to set up his congressional campaign. Less than an hour later, retired Army Col. Conrad Reynolds said he was also seeking the GOP nomination.

The announcements set up a Republican primary that could get more crowded in the coming days. State Rep. Ann Clemmer, who has been considering a run, is scheduled to announce her plans at a news conference Wednesday. Several other GOP figures also are considering a run. Griffin, a Republican first elected in 2010, announced last week he wouldn’t seek a third term.