LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas House Speaker designate Davy Carter, R-Cabot, said Monday that he has hired Gabe Holmstrom, a former executive director of the state Democratic Party, as House chief of staff, and he intends to retain Chief of Staff Bill Stovall, who is a former House speaker, as the chief operating officer.
Carter said he’s also hired former state Rep. Roy Ragland, who has worked for GOP Secretary of State Mark Martin, as the House director.
Carter announced these changes more than two weeks after the newly elected members of the Arkansas House of Representatives ousted state Rep. Darrin Williams, D-Little Rock, as the House speaker-designate and selected Carter over state Rep. Terry Rice, R-Waldron, for the post, putting Carter in line to lead the House in2013 and 2014.
The House’s actions came after Republicans narrowly won control of the House from Democrats for the first time in 138 years in the Nov. 6 general election. But the House’s decisions to select Carter over Rice for the post exposed differences among some Republicans. Rice has said most of the Democrats and a small group of Republicans voted for Carter over him. Republican state Reps. John Burris of Harrison and Charlie Collins of Fayetteville have acknowledged voting for Carter.
Carter said Monday that he hired Holmstrom as House chief of staff because Holmstrom has been a longtime friend and he trusts him.
“I think he will do a good job for the speaker’s office and the House,” he said.
Holmstrom has worked for the Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods advertising and public relations firm for the past two years.
Among other things, he previously was the communications director for Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, senior adviser to unsuccessful Democratic congressional candidate Chad Causey, executive director for the state Democratic Party, and served in various roles for former Democratic U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, including campaign manager.
Holmstrom said he expects to start his new job as House chief of staff on Jan. 1, and said his goals will mirror those of Carter.
Carter said he is retaining Stovall because “Bill has the knowledge and the skill set that’s valuable for the House of Representatives.”
Carter declined to explain why he hired Ragland. But he said he didn’t hire Holmstrom, who has worked for Democrats, and Ragland, who has worked for Republicans, because the House is closely divided between Republicans and Democrats.
“The House staff is going to be nonpartisan,” said Carter. “If it ever becomes partisan, I will make changes immediately.”
Stovall said Ragland started work as the House director Monday. Ragland served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2005-2011.
Carter said he expects to determine Holmstrom’s and Ragland’s salary levels this week.
Stovall said Carter asked him to continue working for the House as its chief operating officer at his current annual salary of $133,034, and he plans to do so. The incoming House speaker has the prerogative to hire staff members to achieve his agenda and vision and to be effective, said Stovall.
Stovall, a Democrat, has been House chief of staff since August 2010 and previously was director of constituency services and a legislative analyst. He served in the House of Representatives from 2001-2007 and was House speaker in 2005 and 2006.
Rice called Carter’s hiring of Holmstrom “interesting” and questioned whether Carter needed all three staff members.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 12/04/2012