Mark Darr | |
|---|---|
| 19thLieutenant Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office January 11, 2011 – February 1, 2014 | |
| Governor | Mike Beebe |
| Preceded by | Bill Halter |
| Succeeded by | Tim Griffin (2015) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mark Alan Darr (1973-07-03)July 3, 1973 (age 51) Fort Smith,Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kimberly Darr |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Springdale, Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Ouachita Baptist University |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Mark A. Darr (born July 3, 1973) is an Americanpolitician fromSpringdale, Arkansas, who was his state's 19thlieutenant governor from 2011 to 2014. A member of theRepublican Party, he was elected in 2010 to succeedDemocratBill Halter. To win the second-ranking post in state government, he defeated another Democrat,state Senator and formerHouse SpeakerShane Broadway by a margin of 51 to 49 percent.[1]
On February 1, 2014, under sanction for ethics violations involving illegal use of campaign funds, Darr resigned as lieutenant governor.[2]
Darr was born inFort Smith inSebastian County, Arkansas. He is a graduate ofMansfield High School inMansfield, Arkansas, andOuachita Baptist University inArkadelphia, Arkansas.[citation needed]
Darr narrowly won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2010. He defeated subsequent State RepresentativeDonnie Copeland ofNorth Little Rock, 64,883 votes (51.9 percent) to 60,072 votes (48.1 percent).[3]
Darr was elected Lieutenant Governor on November 2, 2010, the youngest Republican to date to win a statewide race in his state. Prior to the election, he had never before run for public office.
On August 12, 2013, Darr announced his candidacy forArkansas's 4th congressional district.[4] He ended his candidacy after questions were raised about campaign expenditures during his 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor.[5] On August 29, 2013, Darr ended his campaign for Congress.[6]
In late November 2013, questions of ethics violations arose after Darr reportedly filed incorrect and misleading campaign financial disclosure statements.[7] Darr maintained his innocence, but state Democrats and fellow Republicans threatened impeachment proceedings if Darr did not step down.
An ethics commission accused Darr of breaking the Arkansas Code eleven times and using approximately $31,572.74 from his campaign funds for personal expenses. On December 30, 2013, he signed a letter stating he would pay the state's $11,000 Ethics Commission fine but maintained his mistakes were unintentional. Darr announced on January 10, 2014 that he would resign from his office effective February 1, 2014.[8][9]
Darr failed to officially notifyGovernorMike Beebe, a Democrat, that he was resigning. Beebe was the only constitutional officer who could declare the office vacant. Darr did forward copies to Republican elected state officials. He did not immediately pay the $11,000 Ethics Commission fine, but according toThe Baxter Bulletin, local officials have said he will "pay soon".[10] Darr and his wife filed for bankruptcy in June 2015.[11][12]
Darr and his wife, Kim, have two children. He is a licensedinsurance agent and also co-owns tworestaurants inRogers, Arkansas. The Darrs reside in Springdale, the state's fourth largest city. They are members of themegachurch (Southern Baptist) Cross Church[13] (formerly known asFirst Baptist Church of Springdale). They sing in the church choir.[citation needed]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forLieutenant Governor of Arkansas 2010 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas 2011–2014 | Succeeded by |
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| International | |
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| National | |
