Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe made a national splash this week, being named as one of nine public officials of the year in Governing magazine.
The magazine is honoring the nine for their leadership and excellence, and said in selecting Beebe that Arkansas has weathered recent financial storms as few other states have.
Beebe's approval rating of 67 percent, speaks to his support among Democrats and Republicans alike, the magazine said.
Other honorees include Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; Dearborn, Mich., police chief Ronald Haddad; and Dan Liljenquist, a state senator in Utah.
"These dynamic state, city and county public officials faced both economic and political challenges," said Governing publisher Fred Kuhn. "Through their collective vision, these stellar leaders worked to better not only their communities but to set an example for future leaders to follow."
The honorees are selected from nominations submitted by readers, experts in the public and private sectors, and the Governing editorial team.