In June of 2017, U. S. Representative Rick Crawford (R-Jonesboro) told Roby Brock during an interview on Talk Business and Politics that he plans to run again in 2018. Like 2016, Crawford may have a challenger. Unlike 2016, Crawford's challenger may be a Democrat rather than a Libertarian. A Democrat who calls himself a "semi-retired cattle rancher."
This cattle rancher is also a business man out of Arkansas County named Mike Nelson. In June, Nelson said he was working on a campaign to challenge Crawford in 2018.
"I don't think Rick Crawford can stand up to my knowledge base, to my deep roots, to my deep understanding of our district--of Eastern Arkansas," Nelson said. "He's never had a challenger like myself."
Nelson spoke with KASU's Brandon Tabor about his "deep roots" in Eastern Arkansas, his plans for the district if elected, how he plans to mobilize his party and his thoughts on addressing healthcare legislation.