Gary Morris, a former news reporter, public relations and advertising director, and Methodist minister, has announced he will run for the state House in the 2018 election.
Morris, of Sonora, said he will seek the District 97 seat now held by Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville. Ballinger said earlier this month he will seek the District 5 Senate seat now held by Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest.
Morris, a 70-year-old Republican, said his campaign will focus on honest, open government. If elected, he said he would support policies only if they are effective, accountable and reasonable.
He singled out Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller's Freedom of Information Act -- which gives residents a right to inspect most government documents -- for praise in an interview.
Morris said he is a supporter of Arkansas Works, the state's Medicaid expansion. He said he wants government to run more efficiently without harming rural health care or volunteer fire departments.
He said he also wants to boost the district's tourism industry. He said the area is the "Heart of the Ozarks."
District 97 stretches from eastern Springdale to Berryville. It borders Missouri in the north, and Wesley is included in the southern tip. The district includes parts of Washington, Madison and Carroll counties.
Metro on 06/14/2017