Mike Ross ups speculation on gubernatorial bid

Former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, a Democrat, dropped another huge clue that he plans to run for Arkansas Governor in 2014.

In an email sent Tuesday (April 2) to employees at Southwest Power Pool – where he took a government affairs post in January 2013 after ending his near decade in Congress – Ross said he was resigning his post.

“I wanted you to know that after much thought I have resigned as an officer and senior vice president at Southwest Power Pool to pursue another opportunity in public service,” he said.

Ross said two weeks ago that he was “reconsidering” his decision to not run for Governor since Attorney General Dustin McDaniel (D) dropped out of the race after admitting to an extramarital affair.

Ross told the Associated Press in mid-March, “Dustin McDaniel getting out of the race has left a huge void which clearly none of the other candidates are filling or I wouldn’t be getting all these calls from every corner of the state.”

“I’m humbled by that and I feel a sense of duty and responsibility to the people of this state to at least reconsider my decision and I’m doing that,” Ross added.

Former Lt. Governor Bill Halter (D) has already announced he’ll seek the Democratic nomination for Governor next year. Highway commissioner John Burkhalter has also indicated he might seek the Democratic nomination.

On the GOP side, Curtis Coleman and former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R ) have declared their intentions to run.