A Warren community organizer announced Tuesday that he would run for the Democratic nomination for state House District 8.
Christopher Ogburn, a Bradley County native, plans to focus his campaign on home ownership, housing affordability, education and rural hospitals, according to a campaign news release. He filed as an independent for the seat in 2018, but he was unable to gather enough signatures on petitions to appear on the ballot.
Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, has represented House District 8 since 2011. Initially a Democrat, Wardlaw switched political parties in 2016 a day after the election. Wardlaw said Tuesday that he "absolutely" plans to run for re-election.
House District 8 includes Bradley County and parts of Ashley, Drew, Cleveland, Dallas and Calhoun counties.
Ogburn, 24, served in the Arkansas Army National Guard for three years, and he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a bachelor's degree in political science.
According to his campaign announcement, Ogburn reorganized the Bradley County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he now serves as vice president.
"My roots run deep in south Arkansas and so does my commitment to our part of Arkansas," Ogburn said. "As a young man I have strived to be a servant unto others and I pledge to continue that servant-minded attitude and commitment to the people of our district. I am blessed to have the support of my community and to be a part of a new wave of legislative leadership out of southeast Arkansas. Though this task will not be easy, I look forward to presenting initiative, commitment and integrity during my campaign race for House District 8."
Ogburn graduated from Warren High School. After college, he returned to Warren to work for the city's street department. He is studying to become a paralegal, according to the campaign announcement.
The news release touted Ogburn's work in the community, including helping organize the delivery of bottles of water to residents during a water crisis in Carthage over the summer.
Wardlaw, in his fourth term, is the co-chairman of the Arkansas Legislative Council. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and he works in agriculture and medical sales, according to his biography.
He didn't have any comment on Ogburn when reached by phone Tuesday.
"I'm going to be running for the office, not against him," Wardlaw said.
Wardlaw and Ogburn are the only two publicly announced candidates for the House district.
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 addition, legislators are paid per diem and mileage for attending legislative meetings.
Metro on 09/18/2019