Two Mississippi County residents officially filed Monday as candidates for the Arkansas State Senate.
Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison and Circuit Judge David Burnett will be seeking the Senate District 15 seat, which encompasses Mississippi and Poinsett Counties. Current Sen. Steve Bryles cannot seek re-election under Arkansas term limits.
Both will be Democrats in the May 18 primary election.
Harrison was first elected mayor of Blytheville in 1998. He touts his role in forming the economic development organization in Mississippi County that has since been credited for bringing more than 3,000 new jobs to the area.
"The people of Mississippi and Poinsett Counties deserve no less than a senator willing to dedicate his full time and energy to bringing jobs and improving education in northeast Arkansas," said Harrison. "As your state senator, I will fight for to protect jobs in our district, and to bring new industry to our part of the state. I believe our best days are ahead of us if we set our goals high and work even harder."
Harrison also said improving the quality of life for the people of northeast Arkansas will take aggressive leadership.
"Sometimes it takes new ideas to solve old problems," Harrison said. "I hope you will give me the opportunity to fight for our district and protect our communities as your state senator."
Burnett is a retired Circuit Court judge who served northeast Arkansas, including Mississippi and Poinsett Counties, for 28 years. He has pledged to bring people together and to represent all people of District 15.
"Public service has been a large part of my entire life," Burnett said. "For 35 years, it has been a great honor to serve the people of Arkansas as a prosecutor and judge. I hope to continue that service in the State Legislature, taking the voices of our diverse communities to the capitol."
Burnett grew up in Blytheville where his parents owned a local business. After graduating from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Burnett settled in Osceola with his wife, Sonja. Burnett is a decorated Army officer, having served in Vietnam.
Also filing for candidacy Monday were incumbent state representatives Tommy Baker of Osceola and Charolette Wagner of Manila.