With more than a year to go before the first election, a second Republican has entered the open 2018 race for commissioner of state lands.
A campaign Facebook page set up in support of Alex Ray of Bryant shows the 28-year-old appearing at Republican dinners and luncheons in several Arkansas counties last month.
A news release formally announcing Ray's candidacy was sent out Tuesday, with his promise to visit all 75 of the state's counties.
Ray's campaign announcement touts his experience as a business developer working in the public sector infrastructure division of Johnson Controls, a Fortune 500 tech manufacturer. His announcement also notes his roots as a sixth-generation Arkansan from a family of rice and cotton farmers.
Tommy Land, 61, founder and owner of a Heber Springs telephone equipment company, announced for the office's Republican primary in November.
The incumbent, John Thurston, is term-limited. He is seeking another constitutional office with a bid for secretary of state.
The land commissioner's office is responsible for collecting overdue real estate taxes, auctioning off delinquent properties and granting mineral leases on state-owned lands. It comes with an $85,000 annual salary and a four-year term.
Interviewed by phone on his way to Pine Bluff on Tuesday evening for a Lincoln Dinner with local Republicans, Ray praised Thurston's efforts in turning back money from property sales to local counties.
He said he wanted to build upon that work, and said his experience working with county and local school officials in his current job would help.
Land said Tuesday the two have already talked. Ray "seems like a fine young man," he said.
Land also said he's begun traveling throughout the state campaigning.
No Democrats have announced for the race as of Tuesday.
On the money-raising front, Land had $12,709 cash on hand in April, according his campaign finance report filed last month.
Land raised $6,427 in the first quarter of the year, including donations from Auditor Andrea Lea and Rep. John Payton, R-Wilburn. Land spent $2,427 over the period.
Ray has yet to file his first campaign finance report.
A graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, Ray and his wife Lindsey attend the Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock, according to his news release.
Metro on 05/10/2017