NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — State Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, will seek a second term in a renumbered district similar to the one he already represents.
Pritchard announced he will run in the new District 7. He’s the second Republican in the race, joining state Rep. Jon Woods, R-Springdale.
“When I was first elected to office I promised one thing — that I would remember who sent me down to Little Rock and work for all constituents in my district,” he said. “Since serving as the state representative and a state senator I’ve done what I said I would do — represent all the constituents in my district. I promise to do the same if re-elected.”
PROFILE
Bill Pritchard, Republican Arkansas Senate District 7
Age: 68
Born: Aug. 26, 1943, in New Orleans
Residency: Elkins. Resident since 1981. Lived in Arkansas since 1971
Family: Wife Karen, two sons
Employment: Rancher, owner of Razorback Rentals
Education: B.S. in civil engineering, LSU, 1967
Military Experience: U.S. Navy, 1969-1971
Political Experience: Arkansas state Senate, 2007-11; three terms in the state House, 2001-05
Pitchard serves on the Public Health, Welfare and Labor and the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committees in the Senate, as well as the Joint Budget and Joint Auditing Committees, which include both Senate and House members.
If re-elected, Pritchard would rank first in Senate seniority, and would serve as chairman or vice chairman of the Public Health, Welfare and Labor and the State Agencies Committee, depending on which party controls the Senate.
Pritchard’s platform remains constituent service, promotion of small-business opportunities and conservative values, he said.
“It is time to help small-business owners reduce the paperwork and time they spend on compliance with the State of Arkansas.” Pritchard said. “I will support legislation that will help ease the compliance burden on employers, provide job creation incentives and stimulate the economy for Northwest Arkansas.”
Pritchard cited funding for the Northwest Arkansas satellite campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, bills supporting Second Amendment rights and a partial-birth abortion ban as highlights of his legislative career. He’s proudest of the 2003 Arkansas Drug Court Act, which established the Washington-Madison County Drug Court, a diversionary program that puts first-time, nonviolent drug offenders through a rigorous, court-supervised rehabilitation program, rather than sending them to prison.
District 7 covers Springdale, Goshen, Elkins, Johnson and a small part of Fayetteville. No Democrats have announced plans to seek the seat.
“It was a humbling experience when I was first elected to the legislature, and that feeling has never changed,” Pritchard said. “I am very grateful to have the opportunity to represent Northwest Arkansas in the Senate and I look forward to returning to continue my work to protect our area and the conservative business values Northwest Arkansas embraces.”