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North Little Rock city attorney announces for AG Wednesday, Sep 28, 2005 By Aaron Sadler Arkansas News Bureau NORTH LITTLE ROCK - North Little Rock's city attorney wants to move to new offices just across the Arkansas River, and he said Tuesday he had the experience and work ethic to make the move. With his family, some mentors and a few dozen friends around him, North Little Rock City Attorney Paul Suskie formally announced his bid for Arkansas attorney general. The 34-year-old Democrat faces a crowded primary next spring against State Rep. Dustin McDaniel of Jonesboro and Saline County Prosecutor Robert Herzfeld all trying to succeed Mike Beebe, who is running for governor. No Republicans have entered the race. Suskie made four speeches in the state Tuesday, with stops in Jonesboro, Texarkana and Fayetteville in addition to his noon appearance at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. A city attorney for five years, the Little Rock native said a decade of service working in municipal government helped him develop the skills needed by the state's top lawyer. A National Guard major who returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan in June, Suskie said his overseas experience with other American troops illustrated a true picture of public service. Several times, he cited his tour of duty as a character builder and a chief reason he decided to run for attorney general. "Using my public, legal and military experience, I know that I'm prepared to defend and represent the state of Arkansas as I have represented the city of North Little Rock: with hard work, innovation and tenacity," he said. Suskie said consumer protection would be his highest priority, if elected, by standing up against unscrupulous business practices and working for legislation to curb crime. He vowed to protect children by cracking down on Internet predators. He said he would be an advocate for the state Freedom of Information Act, which he believes holds public officials accountable to citizens. "I can think of no law on the books today that helps remind the people that hold public offices who their bosses are," Suskie said. North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays, Suskie's campaign chairman, praised his City Hall colleague for his work, saying he and the City Council are united in support of Suskie. Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley also endorsed Suskie, a longtime friend. "Paul has shown me over and over in the years I've been affiliated with him that he's got the right stuff to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work that the job requires," Jegley said. Suskie attended Little Rock Catholic High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock law school. He worked for former Sen. David Pryor and then-Attorney General Winston Bryant before becoming the youngest person ever elected North Little Rock city attorney. |
