LITTLE ROCK — A premier Arkansas columnist, John Brummett, is returning to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

“The Democrat-Gazette is the right place for me,” Brummett said Thursday.

He is returning “because I want to,” he said.

“I had 11 great years with Stephens Media. The newspaper industry is changing dramatically, and the [newspaper] war in Northwest Arkansas is essentially over. I’m a statewide columnist, and the Democrat-Gazette is a sound, solid, good statewide newspaper.”

He said he was “thrilled and gratified that” Democrat-Gazette Publisher Walter E. Hussman Jr. and Editorial Page Editor Paul Greenberg “value what I do and have welcomed me back.”

Hussman said he was“enthused and excited at his coming back. We’re delighted.”

Brummett’s last day with Stephens Media will be Oct. 20, and he will start with the Democrat-Gazette as an independent contractor on Oct. 24. He will write four columns a week, three of which will be for publication in the newspaper, which also is posted on the newspaper’s websites, arkansasonline.com and nwaonline.com. The fourth column will be published only electronically.

The newspaper columns will appear on the Voices Page, Greenberg said, and should begin on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Brummett, 57, of Little Rock has won contests sponsored by the Arkansas Press Association, the Associated Press Managing Editors and other press groups in categories such as political column, general interest column, even humor column. His works have been quoted in political party statements, candidates’ campaign ads and other political forums.

Generally regarded as left-leaning, he also has found occasions to praise particular conservatives or conservative themes. Noted for political insights and sometimes trenchant observations, he has often been an election night commentator and is sought after as a speaker for civic, political and educational groups.

Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school - he was a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat.

He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977. He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992. In 1994, his book, High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton, was published by Hyperion of New York City.

He became a columnist with the Democrat-Gazette in 1994.

In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group,now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.

On Thursday, Greenberg said he was “pleased to welcome the prodigal home.”

“It’ll be good to have John back in our stable of columnists, who offer the reader a wide spectrum of opinion, especially about Arkansas politics and life. Arkansas’ Newspaper should provide its people with a variegated menu of columnists, and it’ll be good to have him among ours once again.”

Arkansas, Pages 9 on 10/07/2011