Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — A longtime state legislator from southern Arkansas announced his candidacy for the 4th District congressional seat today.

State Sen. Gene Jeffress

Sen. Gene Jeffress of Louann is the first Democrat to announce for the seat being vacated by incumbent Democrat Mike Ross of Prescott, who announced in July he would not seek re-election to a seventh term.

Republican Tom Cotton of Dardanelle and Beth Anne Rankin of Magnolia previously said they would run in the newly drawn 4th Congressional District.

Jeffress, 62, is a retired music teacher who served two terms in the state House of Representatives and is in his second term in the state Senate.

He and his wife of 43 years, Cynthia, have a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren. They all live in Ouachita County.

“I know what it means to raise a family in today’s world, and the lessons I learned from my family will guide every decision I make as the congressman from Arkansas’ 4th District,” Jeffress said in a release.