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Martin, Morris file, Pritt drops out on last day of filing Wednesday, Apr 5, 2006 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A surprise filing for state treasurer and an announcement that a would-be candidate for lieutenant governor wouldn't make the race highlighted the last day political filings Tuesday. The two-week filing period for this year's elections ended at noon with a crowd cheering the countdown and the tolling of a bell in the Capitol rotunda. State Rep. Jay Martin of North Little Rock, as expected, filed to run in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. He was one of seven people to file for state of federal office on the last day. A surprise entrant, 24-year-old Republican Chris Morris of Little Rock filed to run for state treasurer. An aide to Gov. Mike Huckabee, Morris is the only GOP candidate for the office. He will face the winner of the May 23 Democratic primary race between Democrats Mac Campbell of Harrison and former state Reps. Don House of Walnut Ridge and Martha Shoffner of Newport in the Nov. 7 general election. Drew Pritt of Warren, a political consultant, announced Tuesday that he would not run in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. He said he had the $7,500 filing fee, but did not have enough money to pay for a competitive primary campaign. In all, 287 candidates filed to run in the May primary or for nonpartisan judicial seats during the filing period that began March 21, including 177 Democrats, 86 as Republicans and 24 candidates for nonpartisan judgeships. "This has been a great filing period for us," said state Republican Party Executive Director Clint Reed. "We're excited about our prospects in a number of races, including the governor's race." GOP gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson faces Democrat Mike Beebe in the November general election. Democratic Party Chairman Jason Willett praised his party's slate of candidates and its changes to win back the officials of governor and lieutenant governor. Gov. Mike Huckabee and Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller are prevented by term limits from seeking re-election this year. Along with Martin, two other Democrats have also filed for lieutenant governor: Former state Rep. Mike Hathorn of Huntsville and ex-Clinton administration official Bill Halter of North Little Rock. Morris worked for the state Republican Party before going to work in the governor's office in 2003, works on executive clemency issues in the Huckabee administration. He said he decided to run because he wants to implement some changes in the treasurer's office, including hiring more minorities. State Treasurer Gus Wingfield has decided not to seek re-election. |
