Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde announced Thursday that he will seek re-election to the county's top office next year.
Hyde, 60, is serving his second two-year term as county judge. He defeated former Republican state Rep. Phil Wyrick and Libertarian Glen Schwarz for the seat in November 2014 after longtime County Judge Buddy Villines announced his retirement from the position.
Hyde, a Democrat, faced no opposition during last year's election cycle. Next year's election will be the first in which such candidates will vie for four-year terms after Arkansas voters extended terms of elected county officials last year.
The official filing period for county elections begins in March for the November election. A news release said Hyde has already raised $90,000 and has a total of $110,000 cash on hand.
The announcement also touted initiatives completed and underway during Hyde's two terms, including the adoption of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program, countywide curbside recycling, and the Give Five program that allows residents to donate $5 toward a fund to spay and neuter animals.
Hyde is a 40-year county resident, a former state representative and majority owner of the construction company Hydco Inc., which he founded.
Pulaski County taxpayers pay the county's administrative leader a salary of $̶9̶9̶,̶0̶6̶7̶ about $103,000, or 8̶1̶ 84* percent of the state's allowable maximum.
Metro on 07/14/2017
*CORRECTION: Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde receives an annual salary of about $103,000, or 84 percent of the state’s allowable maximum, after receiving a 4 percent salary increase earlier this year. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the amount.