U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said Tuesday that he's departing his federal prosecutor post, effective Aug. 21, because "it's time to move on."
But Eldridge, who has served as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas since Dec. 21, 2010, declined to say whether he's considering a challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman in the 2016 election.
The 37-year-old Fayetteville resident said in an interview that he "will seriously consider what I am going to do the next day after I leave this position."
Asked about his possible options, he replied, "I'm not going to comment beyond that."
Both Democrats and Republicans have speculated about his possible candidacy in recent months as he said in interviews that he was focused on serving as a U.S. attorney.
State Democratic Party Chairman Vince Insalaco said in a written statement that he hasn't discussed 2016 with Eldridge, but "If he decides to run, I think he will be a promising candidate. I look forward to talking with him about his future plans."
Eldridge said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elser will serve as acting U.S. attorney after his departure.
He said in a written statement that he's "extremely proud of the work we have done to make communities throughout Arkansas safer places to live ... I am confident that work has made a difference."
Eldridge said he targeted drug traffickers, violent criminals and major scam artists, plus those whose crime affected children. He said he also focused on prosecuting public corruption, bringing cases against a county judge and a county treasurer for bribery and theft of funds. He said he also served as national co-chairman for the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which works to improve collaboration among law enforcement agencies that combat homegrown terror.
Last week, Eldridge announced a new effort to connect police with schools when children are present during a traumatic, violent or criminal event. The "A-Chance" program will begin in 13 schools in six counties in the Western District of Arkansas. "A-Chance" stands for Arkansas Cultivating Healthy Attitudes and Nurturing Children to Excel.
Prior to serving as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Eldridge served stints as deputy prosecuting attorney in Clark County, chief executive officer of Summit Bank in Arkadelphia and a judicial law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge G. Thomas Eisele in the Eastern District of Arkansas. He also worked on the staffs for Democratic U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Rep. Marion Berry.
The Western District of Arkansas includes 34 counties stretching from Texarkana, El Dorado and Hot Springs to Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Harrison.
During the past few election cycles, Republicans have made historic gains in Arkansas' elected offices as they've linked federal, state and local Democratic candidates to President Barack Obama.
Arkansas' Republicans now control the state's six seats in the U.S. Congress, all seven of the state's constitutional offices, and have majorities in the state Senate and state House of Representatives.
Boozman was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 by defeating Lincoln, after he had served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District since 2001.
Last month, Boozman reported his campaign had almost $875,000 in the bank as of June 30.
Asked about Eldridge, state Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb said the party "saw significant success in 2014 and plans to build upon that success in 2016.
"Our goal is to re-elect and elect Republican candidates that represent values important to Arkansans and push back against the destructive actions of the Obama Administration," he said in a written statement.
Asked about whether Boozman expects Eldridge to challenge him, Boozman spokesman Patrick Creamer said that "we won't be commenting on speculation."
"Senator Boozman is focused on working for the people of Arkansas," Creamer said in a written statement.
Metro on 08/12/2015