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Friday, January 25, 2013

McDaniel officially announces he's out of governor's race

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM

TOO PERSONAL: Dustin McDaniel exits, saying he didnt want a race all about him.

TOO PERSONAL: Dustin McDaniel exits, saying he didn't want a race all about him.

The email:

Dear Max,

I sought public office to serve my fellow Arkansans and to lead on issues that matter to the State that I love. I have done that, and I will be forever proud of my record in the legislature and as AG. I had hoped that I could shape the 2014 gubernatorial debate with my vision for the future. Unfortunately, I am now convinced that if I run for Governor, this campaign would be about me personally, rather than Arkansas's future.

When it comes to our economy, our infrastructure and our schools — Arkansas is at a crossroads. I believe that we need a visionary to lead our state forward on these critical issues. Arkansas deserves a campaign that will focus on those issues, so I believe it’s in the best interests of my family, our state and the Democratic Party for me to not run for Governor.

Bobbi and I want to thank the many people who have encouraged and supported us and continue to lift our family up in prayer. My path lies in doing my job and enjoying my family, not in the chaos of this campaign. I will spend my last two years as Attorney General focused on issues that matter to Arkansas, like fighting Medicaid fraud, ending the Pulaski County Desegregation case and standing up for consumers. I pledge that our next Attorney General will inherit one of the most well-run offices in the United States, and I will leave grateful for the tremendous honor of having served.

Thank you,

Dustin

Here's what we wrote earlier.

Tags: Dustin McDaniel, Arkansas governor, Bill Halter, Asa Hutchinson

        
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Friday, January 25, 2013

McDaniel officially announces he's out of governor's race

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Speaking of...

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer have filed a joint complaint against ExxonMobil seeking civil penalties. /more/

It was fun while it lasted. House Speaker Davy Carter won't make a Republican race for governor. /more/

In for a penny .... Asa Hutchinson, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, seems happy to be indelibly branded as the NRA's front man on guns as the calendar rolls toward the May gubernatorial primary. /more/

Does the endorsement of James Lee Witt, Bill Clinton's FEMA director, now a bigtime lobbyist/consultant, help Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross? /more/

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has announced that Arkansas will get $5.1 million, including federal matching funds, for its Medicaid program as part of the $500 million settlement of a lawsuit against Ranbaxy, a drug manufacturer in India that provided subpar generic drugs. /more/

I posted a note the other day that indicated state Rep. Debra Hobbs of Rogers was giving prayerful consideration to a run for governor. /more/

In a blog post last week, I made the case that geography no longer creates a clear barrier to the Republican nomination for a candidate from outside of Northwest Arkansas like House Speaker Davy Carter. /more/

Winners in the Hog Roast. Asa Hutchinson speaks to NRA. Gun nuts argue that open carry now legal in Arkansas. /more/

Comments (10)

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