Beebe backs bill keeping Darr's office vacant

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe says he'd sign into law legislation that would allow him to avoid calling a special election to replace Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, who is set to resign this week over campaign finance and ethics violations.

Beebe told reporters Wednesday that legislative leaders have shown him a draft bill that would give him the discretion on whether to call the special election for Darr. House and Senate leaders say they'd rather keep the office vacant, since the election will be in November.

Darr announced earlier this month he would resign Feb. 1 after being fined $11,000 by the state Ethics Commission.

Beebe said he doesn't know if there are enough votes to consider the measure during next month's legislative session, but called the proposal acceptable.

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