County post draws interest

State’s film chief to run for clerk; LR lawyer is exploring bid

A Little Rock attorney and the state’s film commissioner on Wednesday expressed interest in running for Pulaski County circuit/county clerk.

Larry Crane, who currently holds the post, told staff members last week that he will not seek re-election. He took office in January 2011 and will finish his tenure Dec. 31, 2018.

Chris Burks, a Democrat and Little Rock native, announced an exploratory campaign for the position, which carries a twoyear term with a $90,783.68 salary. Burks is a partner at the Sanford Law Firm where he specializes in general labor and employment law.

After graduating from law school at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Burks worked as a lawyer for two Arkansas judges. He has been general counsel for the Democratic Party of Arkansas since 2015 and was a Pulaski County election commissioner from 2013-15.

Burks said in an interview that he believes the “essential job of this office is to protect the integrity of the voter file.”

The 33-year-old is married to another attorney, Haley Heath Burks, and has two daughters.

Another Little Rock Democrat said he’ll compete for the position. Christopher Crane, son of Larry Crane, said he’ll hold a news conference today announcing his candidacy.

The 49-year-old has been the Arkansas film commissioner since 2007, encouraging filmmakers to bring their productions to Arkansas. Recently, Crane worked with Arkansas-born talent to shoot the feature film Antiquities at a North Little Rock furniture store.

Crane graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in communications. He was a staff member for U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers and worked as an actor and professional musician. He also taught for eight years at a Little Rock high school.

“I believe my professional experience combined with my government management service has uniquely qualified me for the position,” Crane said in a statement.

He and his wife, Esperanza Massana, live in the Hillcrest neighborhood and have a daughter.

Candidates can’t file paperwork to run officially for the office until Feb. 22 and must file by March 1.

The primary will be held May 22, and the general election will be Nov. 6, 2018.