Lawmakers support keeping lieutenant governor's office open

LITTLE ROCK — With Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr stepping down next month over ethics violations, legislative leaders say there's growing support to change the law to keep his office vacant and avoid a special election to fill the post for just a few months.

Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday that he was still researching whether the law requires him to call a special election to fill the vacancy for Darr, a Republican who announced Friday he would step down Feb. 1. Beebe said he was also researching whether Darr had actually resigned since he hadn't submitted a formal letter to the governor's office.

Legislative leaders are gauging support for changing the law during next month's legislative session to give Beebe the ability to not call a special election.

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