Ray ends land commissioner bid

Republican says birth of first child trumps race for office

Bryant Republican Alex Ray said Monday that he is ending his bid for the Republican nomination for state land commissioner.

Ray, who announced his candidacy for the statewide office in May, said in a written statement that he and his wife will be welcoming their first child later this year.

“While we have been extremely humbled and thankful for the support and enthusiasm that my campaign has garnered across Arkansas, my calling to public service is superseded by my calling to be husband and father,” Ray said in his statement. “It is my hope that an opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas will present itself again.”

Heber Springs Republican Tommy Land, Hot Springs Democrat Larry Williams and Redfield Democrat Shaun Hubanks previously announced their bids for land commissioner.

The land commissioner’s office is responsible for collecting overdue real estate taxes, auctioning off delinquent properties and granting mineral leases on stateowned lands.

Land Commissioner John Thurston, an East End Republican, is barred from seeking re-election under the state’s term limits amendment. He has announced that he is running for secretary of state. Both offices have terms of four years.

The filing period for candidates seeking state and federal offices begins Feb. 22 and ends March 1. The land commissioner makes $86,700 a year. The secretary of state position pays $91,800 a year.