JACKSONVILLE -- Three years after earlier term limits forced former state Rep. Mark Perry from running for re-election, the Democrat has announced plans to run again for his old seat.
A state constitutional amendment would allow Perry to serve up to 10 more years.
Perry, 55, opened his 2018 campaign for House District 42 over a chili lunch last week -- which he called a Halloween tradition -- at the Jacksonville Community Center off U.S. 67-167.
Support for the U.S. highway, especially plans to have it designated part of an interstate stretching to Chicago, will be a talking point in his campaign, Perry told supporters seated at a few tables.
Additionally, the former lawmaker said he will tout his previous efforts in the Legislature to create an independent school district in Jacksonville and his support for Arkansas' Medicaid expansion program.
House District 42, which includes much of Jacksonville, including Little Rock Air Force Base, is represented by Democrat Bob Johnson. Johnson said in September that he would not run again for the seat and would instead run for mayor in Jacksonville.
No Republicans have publicly announced plans to run in the district, though party spokesman Sarah Reynolds said several people are considering the seat.
In the same 2014 election that sent Johnson to the House, Arkansas voters approved extending the state's term limits to 16 years. Before the vote, Perry was term-limited at six years.
At the Oct. 31 luncheon, Johnson joked about how Perry served as a mentor to him when Johnson took over the legislative seat.
"He's the one that sponsored the bill that got us the school district," Johnson laughed when asked if he was endorsing Perry. Johnson was referring to Act 1274 of 2013, which set the rules for petitioning for an election to form a new school district.
The Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District officially broke away from the Pulaski County Special School District in 2016.
Speaking to the luncheon crowd, Perry said there's still a need to advocate for more funds for the new school district in the state Legislature. Economic development and getting the interstate designation are also critical for the legislative district, Perry said. (The final say on designating an interstate highway is up to the Federal Highway Administration, at the request of the states.)
"A lot of your big retail places, they won't come unless it's an interstate," Perry said.
Outside of public office, Perry said he's spent 31 years working in insurance and financial services. He's a financial representative for Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial.
State representatives are elected to two-year terms. The position pays $40,188 a year, plus per diem and mileage expenses.
Metro on 11/08/2017