Bill Clinton hails Dems in campaign swing through Arkansas

Former President Bill Clinton is finishing a tour to laud Democratic congressional candidates in his home state of Arkansas.

The former Arkansas governor on Sunday began the third and final day of a swing through the state in North Little Rock, Ark.

{mosads}Previously this weekend, he has praised Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), former Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), who’s running for governor, and congressional challenger James Lee Witt — former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“These people could be straight out of central casting for what you say you like,” Clinton said at the kickoff of the statewide tour on Friday, sharing a stage with the three candidates in his boyhood home of Hot Springs.

Clinton was in the state to attend his 50th high school reunion and had a total of five campaign stops planned in towns throughout the state, including his hometown of Hope on Saturday. 

Democrats are calling the campaign swing the “Your Vote Matters” campaign.

Pryor is considered one of the Senate’s most vulnerable Democrats. He has been trailing Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in many recent polls. Polling suggests he has not gained from the popularity of the former president.

Clinton has been a recurring presence in Arkansas this election cycle, in which he has proved to be one of Democrats’ most valuable weapons. As President Obama’s popularity has fallen in red-leaning states such as Arkansas, the party has instead highlighted surrogates such as Clinton and his wife, the former secretary of State and possible 2016 presidential contender.

Early voting in the state starts on Monday.