Arkansas

Few believe Mahony’s stated reason for withdrawal. The Republican Party news release after Mahony’s withdrawal (shown above) hints broadly that its promise to attack Mahony (and, significantly, perhaps others) with undisclosed oppo research could have been a factor. (PS: Do you really think the Democrat-Gazette reporter who detailed shortcomings in Mahony’s past campaign filings didn’t get help from Cotton-related sources, being that he’s one of the few people in media with whom Cotton will communicate?) Planted leaks are fair game, of course, the mother’s milk of journalism, but clearly there’s more where that came from.