LITTLE ROCK — Arizona Sen. and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain has endorsed Tom Cotton in Arkansas’ 4th District congressional race, Cotton’s campaign announced Thursday.
“Tom Cotton volunteered to fight for our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan when he could have continued a promising legal career,” McCain said in a release from the Cotton campaign.
“We badly need this kind of courage and selfless service in Congress – particularly to address our economic challenges. I’m asking the voters of the Fourth District to send Tom to Congress so he can join the fight for freedom there.”
Cotton served in the infantry in both wars before leaving the Army about two years ago. In the May 22 4th District GOP primary, he faces another military veteran, John Cowart of Genoa, and Beth Anne Rankin of Magnolia, who lost to incumbent Democrat Mike Ross in the 2010 4th District race.
Ross is not running for re-election this year.
Q. Byrum Hurst, DC Morrison and state Sen. Gene Jeffress of Louann are seeking the Democratic nomination.
McCain defeated Barack Obama by 20 percentage points in Arkansas in November 2008.