Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola announced Thursday that he will run for a third term as the capital city's mayor.
First elected in 2006 for a term that began the next year, Stodola was re-elected to his second four-year term as mayor in 2010. Before that, he served as the city attorney from 1985 to 1990 and as a prosecuting attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit, which includes Pulaski County, from 1991 to 1996.
No one else has publicly announced his intention to run for the mayor seat this November. The filing period does not begin until next Friday and runs through Aug. 15.
Stodola, 65, is paid an annual salary of $160,000 as mayor. A news release announcing his run for re-election touted his focus on economic development and specifically cited the redevelopment along Main Street downtown as a project he has extensively worked on, having a hand in the street's "creative corridor" receiving eight state, national and international awards.
"The city of Little Rock is quickly moving in a direction I am proud to be a part of and I hope to be there to continue to steer our city into further areas of progress and growth in the future," Stodola said.
He also noted the establishment of a day resource center for the homeless, the renovation of the Robinson Center and quality of life issues such as improved parks as some of his accomplishments.
Stodola was recently named president of the Arkansas Municipal League for the 2014-2015 year.
Metro on 07/18/2014