Files decides against run for state Republican Party chairman

Jake Files, a former state representative from Fort Smith, has announced he will not seek the post of party chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party.

Files is a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and was appointed in 2007 as vice chair of the Sebastian County Election Commission. He is chairman of the Sebastian Republican Party, and is a partner in Foster, Files and Harris, a real estate development company. The City Wire posted this story Nov. 11 about Files’ interest in the chairman post.

“While I feel like there is a tremendous opportunity for the (Republican Party of Arkansas) to build and grow its numbers in the Legislature, I regret that I will not be able to continue my run for the Chairman’s seat,” Files said in a Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 25) statement to The City Wire.

Files said he is considering running for the state Senate seat in Fort Smith in 2010, and believed it would be difficult, if not impossible, to run for that seat and be the state party chairman. State Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, is term limited and can’t run for the office in 2010.

Dennis Milligan of Benton, the party leader since May 2007, has said he would step down from the post. Former State Sen. Doyle Webb of Benton, State Rep. Bryan King of Berryville and Fayetteville businessman Joseph Wood are other likely candidates for the top party post.

However, Files isn’t backing away from his claim that Arkansas Republicans should do more to foster a two-party system.

“I am going to be an active voice for the state party and hope to contribute time and energy to building our base, growing our numbers, and working to see that Arkansas truly becomes a two-party state. I think in the next 2-4 years, you will see a more mainstream appeal for Arkansans to identify with the Republican Party as they look at the platform, ideals, and viewpoints that many in our great state share. I look forward to being a leader in that movement.”

Files said Nov. 11 that the party should actively pursue business leaders and other community leaders who have a history of protecting and promoting small business, rather than just hoping for a good candidate to step up. Once those candidates are found, the party must provide the good candidates with “solid” financial and strategic support, he said.

The party votes on a new chairman in early December.