Baker Kurrus to run for Little Rock mayor
by May 21, 2018 1:20 pm 3,289 views
Baker Kurrus (right) and Education Commissioner Johnny Key.
And then there were three — again.
On Monday (May 21) Baker Kurrus announced he would seek the office of Little Rock Mayor, adding his name to the field that includes Rep. Warwick Sabin (D-Little Rock) and banker Frank Scott.
Kurrus said in a short statement provided to Talk Business & Politics:
“I have decided to seek the office of Mayor of Little Rock, my hometown. I will be announcing my plans for the campaign and my ideas for our city on or shortly after June 1, 2018. I look forward to an exciting five months ahead.”
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola said on May 8 that he would not seek a fourth term as the city’s top chief executive. Sabin, who works for Winrock International, and Scott, a banker with First Security Bank and former Highway Commissioner, have formed exploratory committees for their expected runs.
Kurrus, former Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Winrock Group, Inc., is also a former Little Rock School Board member. Most prominently, he led the beleaguared school district for a year as superintendent after the state of Arkansas took control of it in 2015. He was relieved of the position by state Education Commissioner Johnny Key who installed Michael Poore as the superintendent.
Sabin issued this statement after Kurrus’ announcement:
“Since I began my exploratory efforts more than ten months ago, I have heard from people in every part of Little Rock who want new ideas, new energy, and a fresh approach. We have built a broad and diverse coalition of support that is representative of our entire city, and we have raised over $250,000 in the process. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with a focus on bringing positive leadership to create a bold new future for Little Rock.”
Scott issued this statement to Talk Business & Politics:
“I welcome former Superintendent Kurrus to the Little Rock mayor’s race of my hometown. I remain focused on our vision of Little Rock reaching its potential that centers on uniting our city and jobs growth. It’s time for a new generation of leadership that honors our past and charts a new course for our future.”
Talk Business & Politics will update this story later today.