Thread: AR - Tea party leader to run for Senate

Tom Cox, president of the Arkansas Tea Party organization, will announce his candidacy for the Senate on Monday at a gathering of the Arkansas Tea Party group in downtown Little Rock.


Cox, who plans to run in the Republican primary, is the first leader of the grassroots anti-tax movement to run for federal office. He is seeking the Senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln.


The local businessman, who has not previously run for elected office, became involved in the Tea Party movement after watching CNBC host Rick Santelli’s February rant against the federal stimulus.


Cox went online to find the nearest Tax Day rally and decided in March to plan his own rally at the state capitol after discovering that no protest was planned in Little Rock.


Cox will compete for the nomination with Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman and state Sen. Kim Hendren. GOP State Sen. Chris Bequette is also rumored to be considering a run.


Cox, the owner of Aloha Pontoon Boats, also has a past controversy he will likely have to explain to voters.


Federal authorities raided his North Little Rock boat manufacturing plant last summer, arresting thirteen suspected illegal immigrants.


Cox told the Associated Press at the time that he had “every reason to believe [the workers] were legal and they were wonderful employees.â€

God Bless Cox, I pray that he wins the election. We need more politicians on our side!

ELE wrote:

God Bless Cox, I pray that he wins the election. We need more politicians on our side!

What makes you think he's on our side?

Excerpt:

[quote]Federal authorities raided his North Little Rock boat manufacturing plant last summer, arresting thirteen suspected illegal immigrants.


Cox told the Associated Press at the time that he had “every reason to believe [the workers] were legal and they were wonderful employees.â€