Little Rock City Director Stacy Hurst  has announced as a Republican candidate for state House of Representatives, the seat held by term-limited Democrat John Edwards.

She was elected to the city board in 2002 and touts her work on the Midtown Redevelopment Corridor among her accomplishments.

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No Democrats have announced, Jodie Mahony has announced as a candidate for the seat and I’ve sent word to several others thinking about the race on whether they’ve reached a decision. I’ve also asked Hurst for her viewpoint on some hot button cultural issues that tend to be rigid dogma for Republicans, but not so much for voters in the Heights and nearby regions of Little Rock.

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, who failed to carry his home Pulaski County in two tries and did poorly in his neighborhood, has endorsed Hurst.

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Her announcement:

NEWS RELEASE

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On Wednesday, Little Rock City Director Stacy Hurst announced her intention to run for the Arkansas House of Representatives – District 35. Hurst will run as a Republican.

“It has been an honor to serve on the Little Rock City Board, and I would like to continue my service in the Arkansas Legislature as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives,” declared Hurst. “In the coming months, there will be many issues to address as a legislative body – creating jobs, fighting crime, and improving our education system. We must work together to improve delivery of our healthcare and education to every Arkansan in ways that are innovative and fiscally responsible.”

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Stacy Hurst is a current Little Rock city director where she has vast experience in city and local government. While on the city board, she has been instrumental in the revitalization of the Midtown Redevelopment Corridor while also chairing the 3-year planning process that led to the redevelopment of War Memorial Park.

First elected to the City Board in November 2002, she was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. From January 2007 to December 2008, she served as Vice Mayor of the City of Little Rock. Prior to her election to the City Board, she served as co-chair of the Vision Little Rock, Parks and Recreation workgroup. She also served as a member of the Little Rock Zoo Board of Governors from 2000 to 2002.

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“During my time as a nonpartisan member of the city board, I have learned that being an independent voice is the best way to represent government,” Hurst continued. “I’ve shown that I am willing to listen to all opinions and make the best decisions for the people I represent.”

“As a small business owner, I see firsthand how a first class education system is directly tied to creating and maintaining good jobs right here in Arkansas. I will work diligently to continue to make improvements in our education system, and I will always be an advocate of the many small businesses in my district by making job creation a top priority,” Hurst concluded.

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Hurst is retired from the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation. She and her husband, Howard Hurst, are small business owners of the successful floral design company Tipton and Hurst.

Director Hurst was founding chair and board member of the City Parks Conservancy, which raises money for the City’s parks. She has served as chair of the Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees in Arkansas. She is currently a sustaining member of the Junior League of Little Rock, after having led the League’s efforts to purchase and restore the historic Woman’s City Club in downtown. Her numerous other community memberships include Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Arkansas Arts Center, Youth Home Board of Trustees, Arkansas Women’s Forum, CARTI Foundation Board of Trustees, Little Rock Garden Club, First Tee of Arkansas Board of Trustees, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Alzheimer’s Arkansas Advisory Board, and the Boys and Girls Club.  

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