NLR’s Pritt in legislative race

North Little Rock Democrat Drew Pritt said he’s running next year for the House seat held by Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock.

Wing, owner of Wing Media Group, is in his first term, which started in January and lasts two years.

He said he plans to run for re-election next year and “continue to be a responsible and reputable voice in the House of Representatives.”

“We have really got to address our tax structure … because what that does, it shackles families. It shackles productivity. It shackles opportunity, which ultimately attacks all of our futures,” Wing said. “That’s why I am really excited about this task force on tax reform. I hope that they can come up with some significant changes for the better for our state.” He was referring to a legislative task force that is examining the state’s tax structure. Wing is not a member of the task force.

Pritt — who announced bids for lieutenant governor in 2006 and the U.S. Senate in 2010, but didn’t file to run for those offices — said this week that “I am filing and going to run,” when asked about the chances that he’ll file to run for the House District 38 seat.

Pritt, who ran unsuccessfully for the Little Rock School Board in 2007 and for Pulaski County justice of the peace in 2014, said he works in the fraud and dispute department at Financial Information Systems. He said he wants to work on increased support for the public schools and first responders, and on tax benefits for entrepreneurs and businesses that relocate to the area.

For the 2018 election, the filing period for state and federal offices will be Feb. 22-March 1. The primary will be May 22, and the general election will be Nov. 6.