Interest in Pulaski County office grows

Democrat, Republican say they intend to join race for clerk’s seat held by Crane

Two more candidates, a former state board director and a Pulaski County roads inspector, have shown desire to run for Pulaski County circuit/county clerk.

Terri Hollingsworth, a 53-year-old Democrat, and Steve Walden, a 65-year-old Republican, said this week that they intend to compete for the seat. Walden filed the paperwork Thursday.

The current clerk, Larry Crane, took office in January 2011 and will complete his tenure Dec. 31.

Crane's son, Christopher Crane, announced previously that he will seek the position.

This election cycle is the first to choose clerks who will serve four-year terms instead of two-year terms. Arkansas voters approved extended terms for elected county officials in 2016.

The Pulaski County circuit/county clerk oversees about 95 employees and millions of digital and paper records, including those used in criminal prosecution, voter registration, marriages, divorces and land transactions.

The clerk coordinates with 17 circuit court judges, has substantial duties during election cycles and serves as secretary for the Quorum Court, the county's legislative arm.

Hollingsworth, who has launched a social media campaign, is a former director of the state Board of Election Commissioners.

Currently, she is a senior adviser for business strategy for the Peter Damon Group, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and management firm.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Hollingsworth earned a bachelor's degree in city planning from Howard University and an executive master's degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Her career has included stints with Little Rock and Delta Regional Authority, where she was the chief administrative officer

She lives in Little Rock and has a 15-year-old son.

Hollingsworth said her experience in executive management and with supervising elections make her a competent candidate

Walden, who ran and lost to the elder Crane in 2010, works for the Pulaski County road and bridge department. He's a permit inspector and complaint investigator.

Before that, Walden was a construction manager for the state Department of Correction and ran a heating and air-conditioning business for 12 years.

Born in Pulaski County, Walden was raised in Nashville before graduating from UALR with a bachelor's degree in business.

He lives in Sherwood and has two children, a pilot and a teacher, and two grandchildren.

Walden said if he is elected, he will focus on engaging with the public and keeping up with technological advancements.

Christopher Crane, a Democrat, announced his intent to run in September.

He's been the Arkansas film commissioner since 2007. In the job, he encourages filmmakers to bring productions to Arkansas through incentives, like the digital product motion picture rebate.

Last year, Crane assisted Arkansas-born talent in shooting the feature film Antiquities at a North Little Rock furniture store.

Crane graduated from UALR with a degree in communications. He was a staff member for U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers and taught for eight years at a Little Rock high school.

Crane is married to Esperanza Massana. They have a daughter and live in Little Rock.

"This office has set a high standard for quiet, efficient and effective government and I will fight to retain those standards," Crane said previously in a statement.

Chris Burks, a Little Rock attorney, said in September that he was exploring a run for clerk. Burks said Thursday in an email that he has decided this election cycle was not the right time to run.

The filing deadline for the county seat is Thursday.








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Metro on 02/23/2018

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