Saturday, Congressman John Boozman launched his campaign to try to unseat Senator Blanche Lincoln.
He says he's the man to hit the ground running as he tries to secure the Republican nomination.
"I am ready to take that step representing Arkansas as our next Senator," said Boozman.
In less than a year, Boozman hopes to trade his House seat, which he's held for nine years, for one in the Senate.
"I think I am uniquely qualified. I think that I have the ability, you know, to go forth, step in that position and do a good job," he added.
Supporters from across the state came to the capitol for the announcement, including Judd Deere, a student in Batesville.
"He's gonna stand up for what we believe in. He stands for lower taxes. He doesn't believe in the government run health care," said Deere.
"The most important thing we got to do is control the cost, and the Obama bills don't do that. There's no cost containment," said Boozman.
The optometrist from Northwest Arkansas thinks it's a better idea to reform healthcare without a complete overhaul.
"You're cutting the funding, and you're adding patients to the system. They insisted that that would not decrease the quality of care or increase taxes on seniors. You and I both know that that's crazy," said Boozman.
So ultimately why did Boozman give up a seat in the House for a shot at the Senate? Saturday, he never specifically addressed whether he's running now because of Lincoln's low approval numbers.
"There's so much going on right now, I think we're at a turning point in our history as to which track we go and whether we swing towards more of a socialistic European type of democracy, or we stay the track," he added.
Boozman's announcement means the majority of Arkansas' congressional delegation will turn-over. Marion Berry and Vic Snyder are retiring.
