Rep. Andrea Lea Considering State Auditor Race

Sources close to State Rep. Andrea Lea (R-Russellville) confirm that she is strongly considering running for State Auditor next year and has begun taking tentative steps to put together a campaign.  Lea of Russellville was first elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2008 and is currently serving her final term before term limits kick in.

For the 89th General Assembly, Rep. Lea serves on the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs as Chair; the House Revenue and Taxation Committee; the House Rules Committee; the House Management Committee; and the Arkansas Legislative Council.

For the 88th General Assembly, Rep. Lea served on the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, where she chaired the Subcommittee on Labor and Environment. She also served on the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Joint Budget Committee.

Raised in a military family, Lea grew up in New Hampshire, Hawaii, and California. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a degree in emergency management. She has been a member of the Russellville City Council and the Pope County Quorum Court. (From bio on House website.)

Lea is one of several state Republican legislators considering a run for a constitutional office.  Others include House Speaker Davy Carter for Governor, State Rep. Duncan Baird for State Treasurer, State Sen. Jason Rapert for Lt. Governor, and Rep. Matthew Shepherd for Attorney General.

Rules bar state legislators from raising money until 30 days after the session ends, which officially will take place on May 17 when they adjourn “sine die.”  This means current state legislators cannot raise money for a campaign until late June.  Because of this, it is likely many legislators will wait to announce until mid-summer.