Former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt is seeking the Democratic nomination for a south Arkansas congressional seat.
Witt announced Tuesday he was running for the 4th Congressional District seat currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton.
Cotton is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor next year, leaving his seat open.
Witt is the second Democratic candidate to announce a bid for the seat. Janis Percefull, a community college instructor from Hot Springs, announced earlier this year she was running.
State House Majority Leader Rep. Bruce Westerman and Hot Springs businessman Tommy Moll are seeking the Republican nomination.
Witt's candidacy gives Democrats a high-profile candidate as they try to rebound from recent Republican gains in Arkansas. The GOP controls all four of the state's U.S. House seats.
