U.S. Senate Candidate Eldridge: Campaign ‘Not a Partisan Exercise’
Running in his first political campaign, Democrat Conner Eldridge plans to bring a fresh perspective and an independent voice if elected to the U.S. Senate.
Eldridge, a former U.S. attorney serving the Western District of Arkansas, is running for the seat currently held by Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who faces an opponent, Curtis Coleman, in the Republican primary.
Though running as a Democrat, Eldridge said he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a traditional party member. Instead, he’s focused on nonpartisanship and “getting things done,” he said.
“I am focused 100 percent on running my campaign, on meeting with Arkansans, and engaging in substantive ways on issues that they face — from economic, job-related issues in towns small and large across the state to education to criminal issues that I worked on as U.S. attorney,” Eldridge said.
“I intend to be in all 75 counties developing relationships, asking people for their votes, and, more importantly, listening to what they think needs to be done in Washington.”
He points to his position on issues like the federal budget, immigration, health care reform and equality as where he differs from his Republican counterparts.
AMP had the chance to chat with Eldridge about his campaign, his role as an Arkansas Democrat and other issues.
AMP: Why did you decide to run for U.S. Senate?
Eldridge: I feel a calling to make a difference, and that’s what led me to serve in the U.S. attorney’s office for five years. I really felt we made a difference in five years prosecuting people, who had committed serious crimes across western Arkansas. As I thought about my future and what I was called to do next, I looked at the [U.S.] Senate race. I see that serving in the Senate, one person can make a difference on behalf of our state. That’s why I decided to run in this race and that’s what this campaign is going to be about. As a senator, my goal [will be to] work hard every day to get things done and make a difference for Arkansas.
AMP: Why should a Democrat hold that seat?
Eldridge: I don’t look at this as a partisan exercise. I’m running as a strong, independent, new voice. I think all Arkansans — Democrats, Republicans and independents — are looking for a change in Washington. I know that, as an Arkansas Democrat, I am frustrated with both political parties — with all that I see in Washington, with the Washington that is focused on all the wrong things and is engaged in blaming, bickering and fighting, and not paying attention to the things that [affect] regular Arkansans. So, when I look at that, as I think about how I will serve as a senator, I will take on anybody — Republican or Democrat — to get things done for our state.
AMP: How do you describe yourself as a Democrat?
Eldridge: I leave those conclusions for other people to draw. I’ve said from the beginning of this race, I’m going to be open, honest, straightforward and direct about my positions. I just know the standard that I hold myself to, and that’s to be direct, to be honest with voters, to be straightforward in articulating the positions that I have. I’ll leave others to decide what all that means.