Former Arkansas state Senator and U.S. Congressman Mike Ross formally announced Wednesday (April 17) he is seeking the Democratic nomination for Arkansas governor.
Ross made the announcement in his hometown of Prescott, in southwest Arkansas, surrounded by family, friends and supporters, a news release from Ross's campaign manager, Brad Howard said.
Ross said he will visit more than 30 communities in the state in the next 10 days. Those stops include Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Little Rock and Jonesboro.
Ross said Wednesday his campaign will focus on Arkansas's future - particularly in education and economic development, according to the release.
In 1990, Ross was elected to the Arkansas State Senate. In 2000, Ross won a seat in Congress representing Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District.
Ross left Congress this past January, after choosing not to seek a seventh term. He briefly returned to work at the Little Rock-based, non-profit Southwest Power Pool, before resigning as an officer and senior vice president to run for governor.
Ross joins former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter as the only two Democrats so far who have announced they are running in the 2014 election. On the Republican side, Rogers attorney and former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson and Central Arkansas businessman Curtis Coleman are the only announced candidates.
Governor Mike Beebe is prohibited by term limits from running in the 2014 race.