Peck to make second run for House seat

Dr. Cole Peck of Jonesboro will run for Arkansas State House District 53, which serves citizens in parts of Jonesboro and eastern Craighead County, including Black Oak, Brookland, Caraway, Lake City, and Monette.

Peck, who lost a Republican primary to Rep. Dan Sullivan in 2018, will seek the GOP nomination. Sullivan has announced he will challenge incumbent GOP State Sen. John Cooper, R-Jonesboro.

Peck is a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician in Northeast Arkansas. He is a medical director of urgent care services in Jonesboro and senior partner to Integrity Medical Consulting which manages several medical facilities in the area.

“I would like to better serve my community by using my experience as a small business owner and physician,” said Peck. “Having served the people of Northeast Arkansas through healthcare and getting to hear the important issues facing families, I’ll bring a well-rounded and considered approach to the topics we’ll discuss in the legislature.”

Peck said health care costs, particularly with prescription medicines, are an increasing threat to patients for necessary care.

He said he supports efforts to continue lowering Arkansas’ tax burden, especially in light of the new Trump tax plan, and will seek out common-sense efficiency throughout state government.

“We need to find a way to lower our state income tax without cutting essential services so we can be competitive with surrounding states and bring more jobs and growth to the area,” Peck said.

Peck lives in Jonesboro with his wife of 17 years, Karen, who is also an Emergency Medicine Physician. They have three sons. In his spare time, Peck is an avid reader of historical fiction, swimmer, and a long distance runner.