There was a last minute entry before the filing deadline, in the race for Arkansas Congress District 4: Beth Anne Rankin. The District includes southwest Arkansas, stretching from Hot Springs to Texarkana.

Rankin is a small business owner, a gospel singer, and daughter of the former President of Southern Arkansas University. She was also Miss Arkansas 1994. She has performed in Branson, Missouri. Additionally, at a recent Sarah Palin visit to the State, she sang the opening Star Spangled Banner.

She has worked in numerous capacities in the Arkansas state capitol, including a stint under Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Rankin will be challenging incumbent Blue Dog Democrat Mike Ross.

Making her announcement she cited the reasons for her run:

Government is growing too big, too fast, and at too perilous a cost for future generations of Americans to bear.

Many consider her to be the hard-right constitutionalist candidate in the race. A website Pro-Arkansas for Liberty, which bills itself as a Save the Republic - Tea Party-oriented site with a heavy Ron Paul-orientation, lists her as one of 6 endorsed candidates in the State.