WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, announced Monday that he will not run for governor next year as had widely been expected. Ross said he instead would join Little Rock-based Southwest Power Pool as senior vice president for government affairs and public relations when his U.S. house term ends in January.
Also Monday, former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter said he is considering running for governor and another widely mentioned potential candidate, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, thanked Ross for his service but did not shed any light on his own political plans. Ross announced last summer that he would retire from Congress and would consider a gubernatorial bid.
He said Monday that after his retirement announcement in July 2011, instead of campaigning and raising money he was able to spend more time with his family and that, “after a lot of prayer and reflection,” he decided not to run for public office.
“We have enjoyed getting back to a more normal way of life after 22 continuous years of elective service. This led me to the realization that there is life after politics,” he said in a statement released through his congressional office.
Ross served 10 years in the state Senate and will have served 12 years in the U.S. House when his current two-year term ends.
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“My service to the people of my home state has been the highest professional honor of my life, and I will never forget those who have placed their trust and confidence in me,” Ross said. “Let me assure the people of Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District that I will remain on the job, and continue to provide them with a strong and effective voice in our nation’s capital for the remainder of the term that I was elected to serve, just as I have tried faithfully to do from the beginning.”
McDaniel issued a statement Monday through his leadership PAC saying he had telephoned Ross to thank him for his 22 years of public service and congratulated him “on this exciting opportunity for him and his family.”
“I wish him all the best as he begins this next chapter of his life,” McDaniel said, without mentioning his own plans.
Halter successfully pushed for a constitutional amendment to establish a state lottery to fund college scholarships during his one term as lieutenant governor.
He narrowly lost in a U.S. Senate primary to then-incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln in 2010. Halter spokesman Bud Jackson said Monday that Halter is “seriously considering a run for governor.”
“Since (Ross’) announcement he has been getting a lot of phone calls urging him to run for governor,” Jackson said, adding that Halter had no timetable for reaching a decision.
Southwest Power Pool said Ross would develop and lead the organization’s government affairs at the federal level and the nine-state region it serves, and manage public relations for the company. SPP President and Chief Executive Officer Nick Brown said that Ross’ success in leading bi-partisan solutions on state and national levels is an excellent fit to the diverse membership in SPP.
“I’ve known Mike since high school in Hope, Ark., and have followed his political career for decades,” Brown said.
“I can think of no one better to help SPP become more proactive in the state and federal legislative arenas and to raise public awareness of the company. There’s no doubt that he will add great value to SPP and our members in helping shape our nation’s energy future.”
Ross said that working for SPP was an “especially attractive opportunity” because it is a non-profit organization that provides an important public service.
“While many people have never heard of Little Rock-based Southwest Power Pool, they perform an important mission in managing the electric grid and keeping electric rates affordable in nine states,” Ross said.
Ross plans to start working for SPP after his current term ends in January. Congress members are prohibited by law from making direct lobbying contacts with former colleagues for one year after leaving public office, according to Public Citizen.
That means that for one year Ross will not be able to communicate directly with any member, officer or employee of either house of Congress with the intent to influence official action. House ethics rules also advise members to recuse themselves from official actions of interest to prospective employers while job negotiations are underway, according to Public Citizen.
Ross serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee but is not a member of the energy subcommittee that oversees electric power legislation. Brown testified before the subcommittee last October on electric transmission issues.
Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., issued a statement Monday wishing Ross and his family the very best in the future.
“For more than a decade he has fought for Arkansas’ working families and seniors, and I know he will continue serving out his term with the same commitment,” Pryor said.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said in a telephone interview that he believes Ross decided not to run for governor because of his family.
“I think it is a personal choice. Mike worked really hard representing basically all of southern Arkansas – being there personally as much as he could. I think that he’s just ready to come home and back off from having that tremendous responsibility,” Boozman said.
As for the political landscape, Boozman said that more people might consider running for governor with Ross on the sideline.
“It’s an interesting time. Who knows what the landscape is going to look like a year from now,” Boozman said.
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Arkansas News Bureau reporter John Lyon contributed to this report.