State Rep. Jon Vines, D-Hot Springs, said Wednesday that he won't seek re-election next year because he wants to spend more time on his law practice.
"I just couldn't make it work financially anymore," said Vines, 41, an attorney who has served in the state House of Representatives since 2011. He represents House District 25, which includes part of Garland County.
He said he also wants to spend more time with his two daughters and wife, Libby, who is a banker. He said he never envisioned serving more than three two-year terms when he was first elected in 2010.
So far, Vines is the third House Democrat to announce that he's not seeking re-election in 2016. The others are state Reps. Mary Broadaway of Paragould and John Baine of El Dorado.
Five House Republicans have said they're not seeking re-election. They are Reps. Justin Harris of West Fork, Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana, Kelley Linck of Flippin, Julie Mayberry of East End and Micah Neal of Springdale.
In addition, independent Nate Bell of Mena, a former Republican, has said he's not running for his House seat again.
Rather than seek re-election, state Rep. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, has said he's challenging state Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola.
And state Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-North Little Rock, has said he's considering all his options, including whether to challenge Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock. House Republican leader Ken Bragg of Sheridan has said he expects Copeland to run for the Senate.
In March, a citizens commission approved raises increasing state lawmakers' pay from $15,869 to $39,500 a year and increased pay for the speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tempore from $17,771 to $45,000 a year.
In exchange, lawmakers agreed to stop receiving up to $14,400 a year in reimbursements for certain office-related expenses. In addition to their salaries, lawmakers on average have received about $30,000 a year for per diem (a daily allowance for lodging, meals and incidentals), reimbursements and other expenses in previous years.
Metro on 09/17/2015