Hot Springs Republicans Les Warren and Richard Midkiff said Friday that they're vying for the state House seat held by departing Hot Springs Democrat John Vines.
Warren served as Vines' campaign manager in the two previous elections.
In another House district, Clarksville Republican Aaron Pilkington said Friday that he's seeking the seat held by Lamar Democrat Betty Overbey.
Overbey, who said two weeks ago that she hadn't decided whether to run for re-election, could not be reached for comment by telephone on Friday. Republicans and Democrats alike have wondered whether Overbey's husband, former state Rep. George Overbey, D-Lamar, would run for the seat instead.
State and federal candidates will start filing to run for office a month from now.
Warren, 56, is president of Hot Springs Title Co. and served on the Lakeside School Board from 2003-13.
Midkiff, 48, is a deputy at the Garland County sheriff's office, financial adviser for Evans and Associates in Bryant, and serves in the Army Reserve. He said he has not sought elected office previously.
Warren said he has been active in the Hot Springs community for 20 years and is known for looking to resolve issues. He said he's a strong supporter of education, listens to all people and has a strong faith, serving as deacon at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs.
He said he served as Vines' campaign manager in 2012 and 2014, has long considered himself a Republican and isn't a recent convert to the GOP.
Asked whether he would make an issue of Warren's work on Vines' campaign, Midkiff said no one had told him about the connection.
"It is interesting news to me because I didn't know that," he said.
Midkiff added that Vines is a friend and a neighbor.
Midkiff said he's "fourth generation from here" and wants to work on resolving issues related to poverty and the homeless. He said he considers himself a conservative Republican and wants to bring more jobs to Arkansas and keep college graduates in the state.
Last month, Vines said he won't seek re-election because he wants to spend more time on his law practice and with his family. Vines has served in the state House of Representatives since 2011. He represents House District 25, which includes part of Garland County.
Pilkington, 24, is director of client development for Phyzit, a Little Rock-based heath care start-up company. He said he hasn't run for elected office previously, but he served as campaign manager for successful West Virginia state House candidate Eric Householder in 2010.
He said he wants to bring more jobs and economic development to Johnson County.
Pilkington said he's prepared to run against either Overbey -- Betty or George.
"I'll let their records speak for themselves," he said. "I want to serve the people of the 69th district. I am the man for the job."
Betty Overbey, 69, has served in the House since 2011. She is a retired state revenue agent. She represents House District 69, which includes Johnson County and part of Pope County. George Overbey, 67, served in the House from 2005-11. He is a retired state employee, too.
The state House of Representatives includes 64 Republicans, 35 Democrats and an independent, state Rep. Nate Bell of Mena.
The parties' filing period for state and federal offices runs from noon Nov. 2 until noon Nov. 9 at the state Capitol in Little Rock. The primary election will be March 1, while the runoff election will be March 22 and the general election will be Nov. 8, 2016.
Metro on 10/03/2015