Maddox Bio
AT A GLANCE
Office sought: Rogers mayor
Name: Kurt Maddox
Age: 41
Residency: Gravette, moving to Rogers
Family: Wife, Dawn; and six children, Austin, Sydney, Andrew, Macy, Tessa and Janie.
Employment: Owner of MDX Group Inc. a real estate and janitorial service company based in Rogers
Education: Bachelors’ degree in finance from LaSalle University; a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries from Ecclesia College; and a master’s degree in leadership and ethics from John Brown University.
Military Experience: None
Political Experience: Ran unsuccessfully this year for the Republican nomination for the 3rd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Served two terms on Gravette City Council from which he resigned Friday.
ROGERS — Kurt Maddox of Gravette said Friday he is moving to Rogers and running for mayor of the city.
He also announced Friday he has formed a campaign committee for his bid for office.
“I look forward to the possibility of rolling up my sleeves for the people of Rogers at a time when there is little margin for error in the transitioning from the very successful Womack administration. I love this city and I’d like the opportunity to rise to that challenge,” Maddox said in an e-mailed announcement.
Steve Womack, Rogers mayor for 11 years did not seek re-election. He is the Republican candidate for U.S House of Representatives 3rd District seat in the November general election.
Only one other candidate has announced he will seek the mayor’s position: current Rogers Alderman Greg Hines.
“I’d like to welcome Mr. Maddox to the race and to Rogers,” Hines said Friday when told of Maddox’s announcement.
Maddox, 41, is owner of MDX Group Inc., a real estate and janitorial service company based in Rogers for about 20 years.
Maddox said Friday he is in the process of moving from Gravette into a home he has owned in Rogers for several years.
“It was a difficult decision to run for mayor and move to Rogers,” Maddox said, “but I wanted to give people an option in the mayoral race. I believe I’m the best qualified candidate for the job.”
He said he plans to run an aggressive campaign.
“The biggest thing a city needs to look at is how small businesses are doing. Rogers wants to be a retail destination and we would want to keep that strong,” Maddox said.
He added he would work to see if there is any way the city can capitalize on Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art under construction in Bentonville.
“I don’t think any mayor coming in will know what’s going to hit Rogers in the first three months, six months or two years down the road. We need somebody that can take what comes at them and make financially sound decisions,” Maddox said.
In the news release, Maddox said being mayor is not unlike running a business.
“The mayoral position requires real world experience balanced with vision and desire to work with people. No other announced candidates appear to have my qualifications,” Maddox wrote.
He added he has a history of balancing budgets, creating business plans, meeting payrolls and responding to clients’ needs.
His prepared announcement also contained a quote from Womack.
“We need more business leaders like Kurt in our political community,” Womack said.
The comment was made several weeks ago during the Republican primary campaign when Maddox was one of the candidates running for the 3rd Congressional District seat, Womack said Friday.
“My statement does not imply any endorsement of Mr. Maddox or any candidate running for mayor,” Womack said Friday.
“I’m not taking an active part in the selection of the next mayor; that is for the electorate to decide. It would not be appropriate for me to endorse or be involved in the mayoral election,” Womack said.
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At A Glance
Members of the Maddox campaign committee are Meza Harris, a real estate agent, and Steve Fineberg, a commercial real estate agent.