English gets Senate-race foe

School, small business key, says Democrats’ Woodson

Attorney Joseph Woodson Jr., a North Little Rock Democrat, said Monday that he's seeking the Arkansas Senate seat held by North Little Rock Republican Jane English.

English, who plans to run for re-election in 2016, has represented District 34 since January 2013 and served in the state House of Representatives from 2009-2013. In November 2012, she defeated then-state Rep. Barry Hyde, D-North Little Rock, who is now county judge in Pulaski County.

District 34 includes North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville, north of Interstate 40 and west of U.S. 167, and eastern Maumelle.

Woodson has been an attorney for 20 years and served as legal counsel for Democratic Secretary of State Charlie Daniels and director of the state Board of Apportionment when the three-member board redrew the boundaries of legislative districts earlier in this decade.

Woodson, 48, said he decided to seek the Senate seat during the past weeks and he hopes to formally announce later this week.

"I want to serve the district," he said.

Woodson said he wants to help pass legislation that promotes small businesses in order to create jobs.

He said he would like to provide tax incentives for small businesses and "do everything we can" to improve the public schools with technology and "the best teachers we can get."

English said that she didn't know that Woodson is going to seek her Senate seat.

"I have never heard of this man before," she said.

English said she expects her fundraising to pick up now that she has an opponent.

She reported raising $12,273 in the quarter that ended June 30 to boost her campaign treasury to $15,245.

English, 74, is chairman of the Senate Education Committee and sponsored legislation signed into law earlier this session to overhaul the state Board of Career Education to improve the coordination of the state's workforce development programs.

Originally from Lincoln, Neb., she moved to Arkansas in 1981 with her husband, who served 30 years in the Army. Among other things, she was a senior project manager for the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission from 1984-1999 and director of the state Workforce Investment Board from 2001-2004.

The party filing period will be from noon Nov. 2 until noon Nov. 9 in the state Capitol, according to the secretary of state's office.

The Arkansas Senate now contains 24 Republicans and 11 Democrats.

Metro on 07/07/2015

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