Rep. Eddie Armstrong, D-North Little Rock, said Tuesday that he's not running for re-election next year in order to focus on his family and his growing business.
Jamie Scott of North Little Rock said Tuesday that she plans to seek the Democratic nomination for the House District 37 seat that Armstrong holds. The district encompasses parts of North Little Rock and Maumelle, and southeast Jacksonville.
For the 2018 election, the filing period for state and federal offices will be Feb. 22-March 1. The primary will be May 22, and the general election will be Nov. 6.
Armstrong, 39, has served in the House of Representatives since 2013.
He said he decided not to run for re-election in what he called "a family and personal decision," after wrestling with the matter since earlier this year. He said he and his wife are owners of Phoenix Laboratories, formerly known as Pathology Partners, a 7-year-old company that oversees a number of tests for doctors and health care systems. The couple also has a 1-year-old son.
Armstrong said he's not going to endorse a potential successor for his seat.
Scott, 35, said she has been director of youth services for Pulaski County for the past two years and previously was director of the Upward Bound program for Arkansas Baptist College for five years.
She said she is a lifelong resident of House District 37 and she's always wanted to serve "in a bigger capacity," and she decided it's time to seek that chance. She said she's not sure whether she'll have an opponent for the House seat, but she's going to prepare to run a strong race.
Metro on 09/06/2017