Democrat seeks No. 2 job in state

Anthony Bland of Little Rock announced Wednesday he would seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor this year instead of secretary of state, as he had announced last May.

Bland, 39, a media technician at J.A. Fair High School in the Little Rock district, said he had been considering switching races since Susan Inman of Little Rock announced in August she also would seek the

Democratic nomination for secretary of state this year.

Bland, who also owns Bland’s Martial Arts Center in Little Rock, said he was encouraged by Democratic Party members, his family and numerous friends and supporters to run for lieutenant governor instead.

The incumbent is Republican Tim Griffin of Little Rock. Bland linked him to GOP President Donald Trump.

“As a business owner, and having education in business law and business administration, I have the qualifications to serve as secretary of state, but Susan Inman has the hands on experience,” he said in a written statement. “In fact considering her vast experience with the election process, she may be the best qualified candidate to ever seek the office.”

Inman is a veteran election administrator who lost her challenge to Republican Secretary of State Mark Martin of Prairie Grove in 2014. Martin is barred from seeking re-election under the state’s term-limits amendment. State Rep. Trevor Drown of Dover and Land Commissioner John Thurston of East End have announced their own plans to seek the GOP nomination for secretary of state.

So far, Bland is the only Democrat who has announced his bid for lieutenant governor, The filing period for state and federal offices begins at noon Feb. 22 and ends at noon March 1. The primary election is May 22 and the general election is Nov. 6.

“I’m running for this office because I believe all Arkansans deserve an equal opportunity to obtain quality education, affordable health care, and jobs that pay decent wages,” Bland said in his written statement.

As the state’s lieutenant governor, Bland said, “I will work to achieve these goals.”

“I’m looking forward to winning the nomination, so I can face Griffin. The lieutenant governor is a Trump enabler who is out of tune with the people of Arkansas. I intend to call him out on his support of the Trump agenda,” Bland said.

In response, Griffin said, “I welcome a Democrat opponent to the race.

“Hardworking Arkansas taxpayers want to continue bold, conservative leadership to reform government that taxes too much and spends too much so we can grow jobs and compete,” he said in a written statement.

According to his latest campaign-finance report on the secretary of state’s website, Griffin reported $407,235 in his campaign treasury as of Dec. 31 for his re-election bid to a second four-year term. Bland reported a campaign treasury of $1,150 for the secretary-of-state race as of Jan. 31.

Griffin has served as lieutenant governor since 2015. He served as Arkansas’ 2nd District congressman from 2011-15. He also is a former aide to President George W. Bush and is a former interim U.S. attorney.

Under the Arkansas Constitution, the lieutenant governor’s duties are to preside over the state Senate when it’s in session and to serve as governor if the governor is impeached, removed from office, dies or is otherwise unable to discharge the office’s duties, according to the office’s website.

The lieutenant governor is one of the state’s seven constitutional officers, but it is the only office among them considered part time. The lieutenant governor’s salary is $42,315 a year. The state’s other six constitutional officers are the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and land commissioner.

Bland