By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Restaurant owner Mark Darr of Springdale says he will run as a Republican to challenge Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, claiming the Democratic incumbent is out of touch with most Arkansans.

Darr, who formed an exploratory committee last year and announced his candidacy Tuesday night, said today he was launching his campaign with $152,000 on hand — $150,000 of it from a loan he made to his campaign in December.

Darr, 36, is a licensed insurance agent and owner of MAD Pizza Company in Rogers.

Darr said Arkansans need elected officials “who believe the way we believe.” He cited Halter’s support of national health care reform and opposition to a 2008 initiated act banning unmarried couples from adopting or serving as foster parents in Arkansas as positions he believes are not shared by most Arkansans.

“I believe he is not in tune with the rest of Arkansans or the majority of the rest of the Arkansans,” Darr said of Halter. “What I would do differently is, I would have an agenda for the state, not an agenda for myself.”

Darr said he opposed the state lottery that Halter successfully proposed in 2008 but would not seek to repeal it if elected.

Bud Jackson, spokesman for Halter’s re-election campaign, said the lieutenant governor had a strong record of accomplishments to stand on for his first term in office.

“Right now he is working with the General Assembly and Gov. Mike Beebe to set the size of scholarships funded by the lottery that he fought to create,” Jackson said. “Until the Republican Party has a nominee, he’ll continue to focus on the job he was elected to do.”

Halter has not confirmed or denied reports he is considering running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Blanche Lincoln.

“He’s focusing on his re-election,” Jackson said Wednesday.

Darr may have to compete in a primary election. State Rep. Roy Ragland, R-Marshall, said Wednesday he is considering running for the GOP nomination to challenge Halter.

Ragland said he expects to make a decision within two weeks.