LITTLE ROCK — Former state legislator and current restaurant owner Jim Keet says he will run for Arkansas governor as a Republican.
Keet told The Associated Press on Friday that he planned to seek the GOP nomination to challenge Gov. Mike Beebe this fall. Beebe is a Democrat.
Yesterday, Keet had said he was leaning toward running. He said Friday he would definitely enter the race. He earlier formed an exploratory committee for the lieutenant governor’s post.
Keet formerly served in the state House and Senate. He is the former president and CEO of Barnhill’s Buffet and now runs Taziki’s Restaurant in Little Rock. Arkansas’ political filing period start Monday.