Now that Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) has made a name for himself by introducing and lobbying for some of the most restrictive (and unconstitutional) abortion bans in the country, the Tea Party Republican is getting exactly what he wanted: encouragement to run for higher office.

According to Ozarks First, Rapert announced on his Facebook page that thanks to feedback from his supporters, he will “be praying” about whether or not to make a run for lieutenant governor in the next election.

“I appreciate the confidence you have in me,” he says in his Facebook post. “We began our public service in 2010, giving everything we have to represent our constituents and champion the values, principles and reforms that will make Arkansas one of the best places to live, work and raise a family in our nation. Our family will be in prayer about running for this office and seek direction on what the people of Arkansas would have us to do. Again, thank you for your confidence in me, it is humbling.”

The Ozarks First report includes a “thermometer” of reader reaction, which is an interesting bellwether of the public reaction to Rapert’s political future. So far, the admittedly unscientific gauge has been moving back and forth between two emotions: “furious” and “sad.”