A former state representative and a lawyer are running for the Democratic nomination in House District 7, which includes parts of Calhoun, Ouachita and Union counties in south Arkansas.
The candidates are Garry L. Smith, 64, of Camden, who owns a plumbing and electrical business, and Floyd M. Thomas, 66, of El Dorado, who has been an attorney for the past 41 years.
Smith served in the House from 2009 through 2012. He lost his re-election bid in the Democratic primary in 2012 to John Baine, an accountant from El Dorado who served two terms in the House but didn't run for re-election this year.
State representatives are elected to two-year terms. Beginning this year, the annual salary for an Arkansas House member is $39,500.
The winner of the March 1 Democratic primary election will face Sonia Eubanks Barker, a Republican, and Glenn Glover, an independent, in the general election Nov. 8.
Smith has owned and operated Garry's Plumbing and Electrical Inc. in East Camden since 1993. He is also a cattle farmer.
Born in Mena, Smith said he is a lifelong Arkansan.
Smith said his previous years in the state Legislature will enable him to get things done quickly if elected.
"You get things done after you've been there a while," he said. "Seniority is what it's all about."
Smith said his experience as a business owner and cattle farmer also give him an edge over his opponent.
"I think I'm a little better schooled in those areas," he said.
Smith said he also teaches economics at Southern Arkansas University Tech in East Camden.
Smith said Arkansas has shifted too far to the right. Suddenly the Legislature has a dearth of Democrats, he said.
"We've gone too much to one side of the page, and there's not a balance of power," he said.
Smith said he's against abortion and same-sex marriage, but they are legal and his job as a state legislator will be to uphold the constitutions of Arkansas and the United States.
Smith said it's a waste of money for the state to defend anti-abortion laws that are passed by the Legislature and destined to be rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"We could spend that money to reduce college tuition," he said.
Thomas said he is a semiretired lawyer. He recently went from 23 employees to just one -- himself.
Thomas grew up primarily in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Hot Springs. His father was an FBI agent, so the family moved several times.
Thomas said his Democratic ties run deep. He went to high school with Bill Clinton, who took him around town to introduce him to people. Thomas also worked one summer in Washington for David Pryor when he was a congressman.
Since he is semiretired, Thomas said he would have more time and energy to devote to being a legislator.
"It's every citizen's responsibility to volunteer for duty in places that they see where they could contribute," he said.
Thomas said his law background would come in handy as a state representative. It would be helpful when it comes to constituent services, he said.
Thomas said education, transportation and incarceration are primary issues for state government. It's the responsibility of legislators to make sure money is appropriately allocated in those areas, he said.
But Arkansas already has too many laws, said Thomas, so the Legislature should look at reducing the number and simplifying the laws the state has.
Thomas said running a law firm is running a business. He said he has defended many business owners in court over the years.
Thomas said he also owns timber and has been an independent oil producer.
State Desk on 02/13/2016