Former state Rep. Clarke Tucker on Thursday announced his bid next year for the seat held by departing Sen. Will Bond.
Both are Democrats from Little Rock.
And Little Rock Republican Bob Thomas, who formed a committee on July 11 to explore running for the Senate District 32 seat, said Thursday that he expects to know by the end of next week whether he will run.
Bond announced July 8 that he isn't running for re-election next year. Tucker said at that time that he would announce his own bid soon.
Bond, an attorney, has served in the Senate since 2017 and previously was in the state House of Representatives from 2003-09 when he lived in Jacksonville.
Tucker, a 38-year-old attorney who served in the House from 2015-19, lost a challenge to Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock in November. Tucker said Thursday that he believes the opportunity of working again in the Legislature will allow him to have the greatest impact on Senate District 32 and the state of Arkansas.
"My heart is the fullest when I am giving back to the community," he said in a news release. "Since leaving the Legislature, I have felt a longing for the kind of fulfillment that only comes with working every day for Arkansas families."
Tucker said his primary focus will be on health care, education and the economy, adding that there are many issues in need of attention, ranging from protecting the climate and natural resources to paying women as much as men doing the same work.
He could not be reached for comment by telephone Thursday afternoon.
Thomas is a 56-year-old medical device sales representative and a certified welder who lost his challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder of Little Rock in 2000. He is a brother of state Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View.
Thomas said he should know a week from today whether he is going to run.
Senate District 32's eastern boundary is Interstate 30 in Little Rock. The northern edge follows the Arkansas River to the Perry County line. The southernmost edge is Interstate 630, then the district crosses over Interstate 430 to encompass an area that includes Chenal Parkway, Pinnacle Mountain and portions of Lake Maumelle.
The party filing period will be from noon Nov. 4 until noon Nov. 12. Next year's primary election will be March 3, and the general election will be Nov. 3.
State lawmakers are paid $41,393 a year in salary, while the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore make $47,277 a year in salary. In addition, they are paid per diem and mileage for attending legislative meetings.
Metro on 08/16/2019