Arkansas lieutenant governor says he'll resign over ethics violations
(CNN) - Arkansas Lt. Governor Mark Darr has announced he'll resign following an ethics scandal that has shaken the state capital of Little Rock.
His decision comes on the heels of a state ethics commission finding that the Republican had broken 11 campaign finance rules since 2010.
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In the wake of this ruling, Darr admitted he erred on campaign finance filings, signed a letter from the ethics commission that admitted guilt, and agreed to pay $11,000 in fines. But he refused to step down - until now.
That happened in a statement dated Friday, in which Darr said he'd resign effective February 1.
His decision to leave office, he explained, was to protect his family - admitting that he "made mistakes, but not one with malicious intent."
"Throughout this process, it has been my desire to share the facts, and I feel this has been accomplished. I have been honest, forthright and acted with integrity," Darr said.
The politician added: "Politics can be a toxic business. I will no longer subject my family to its hard lessons. All my forgiveness to those who play the games and all my respect and appreciation to those who serve with class and humility."
Gov. Mike Beebe, D-Arkansas, and others called for Darr's resignation in late December, but the symbolic gestures did not move him immediately. In Arkansas, only the state legislature has the power to remove a lieutenant governor from office.
Despite the admitted impropriety, some local politicians like State Rep. David Meeks took to social media to express their support.
"Thank you Lt Gov @MarkDarr for your service to the State of Arkansas. Praying for you and your family," tweeted Meeks.
At one time a prolific user of Twitter himself, Darr's account is now private.
Darr was elected lieutenant governor in 2010, defeating Democrat state Senator Shane Broadway.
In August, he declared his intention to run for the open U.S. House seat in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District that's currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Cotton, who's decided to challenge Democrat Mark Pryor for his U.S. Senate seat.
Shortly after his announcement, however, local media began to report improper spending by Darr's 2010 campaign. Because of these questions over campaign finances, Darr called off his congressional campaign less than a month after declaring.
–CNN's Conor Finnegan, Dave Stewart and Dan Merica contributed to this report.
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You see, Mark, it works like this. If you don't break the rules, you don't have to resign in disgrace. But, of course, you are a politician.
You aren't a republican if you aren't cheating.
If every republican were forced to resign over "ethics violations" there would be no more repubs. What a wonderful world that would be!!!
Wow he is going guilty of ethics violations but blame others for being mean?
Remember Jim Guy Tucker, Lt. Gov under Bill Clinton? Little Rock politics is a cesspool and the Clintons set the example.
What a surprise, Republicans breaking rules in elections. (sarcasm)
good another dirty repug gone.
before I even read the article, I knew that it was a repuglican.
Haven't read any of the comments on this thread but it's not a stretch to predict the "usual suspects" are here blaming the so-called "librul media" and "libruls" in general for his poor behavior; or attempting to create some a false equivalence with a dem that they accused of doing something wrong and who, despite their false narratives put forth to further their agenda, was never charged with a crime.
A conservative amiss in ethics violations? What about Jesus and salvation? What about the high moral standards of the conservative ideal? I am sincerely taken aback...
Not a good week for the GOTP. But, oh well, give it a screech anyway--Benghazzzzzzi!!!!
Lakehead
After reading this article one would be left with the impression the lt. governor was the victim according to him.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Of course he's the victim you silly goose! He's a repug – they're ALWAYS the victim.
And all those democrats in Chicago and New York are clean as a whistle! Yeah right.
Kate, Wolf, Randy, and Dave, I knew you were idiots without knowing you. Let's replace the name of "Mark Darr" with Rod Blagovich, Charles Rangel, Dan Rostenkoski, Mel Reynolds..... Yes we knew they were corrupt and vile when we saw the (D) after their name. Does that sound fair? So much for the democrats claim to be progressive and tolerant. Sounds as if you four would rather have just one party in the USA, "The Party". Then you could could call those who where not members "Enemies of the State" and have them sent else where so as not to offend you.
Because I knew Gov Beebe was a Democrat, I was surprised to find a state with mixed party Gov & Lt Gov. I wish my state and others would go back to this form of election. I want to believe it would relieve the friction in state government and possibly transfer to our Federal representatives to get along and move this country forward not to the left or right.
Now if all the Democrats in Washington who lied cheated are corrupt and practice self serving politics would resign....are country may see better days
Oh let's add Jesse Jackson Jr to the list of politicians spending campaign money on themselves. Vile corrupt person that he is,,wait,,what,,,, He is a Democrat, we can't put him on the list of corrupt persons because we would look like hypocrites.
Democrats posting here, look to your party, is it clean of of persons doing the same as Mr Darr? Then by all means cast that stone from inside your glass house.
@Bob-Wouldn't start naming names if I were you. The GOTP has a long (and growing each day) list of corrupt, and morally corrupt (leaders?) to its credit.
While he certainly should go, it would be nice if Dimocrats (sic) were so inclined. They get gold stars when they misbehave. Barney Frank comes to mind.......as does Gerry Studds, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Tom Folely ....ah, hell the list would take forever.
Sucks to get caught. It makes you look guilty. LOL
Glad to see he finally came to his senses, and did the right thing. Regardless of party, these politicians hubris is amazing. They think the rules apply only to others.
Dave In Arkansas.
The real crime is the brainwashed, backward people that believe he's innocent. And the really even bigger crime is the ones who believe he's innocent, and will fight to the death for his kind to stay in positions of power. Just one more example of how utterly screwed up this nation is, and most of this is because of a media that's corporate owned and operated. Take a good long look in the mirror Mr. and Mrs. America. You've been bought and sold for peanuts.
It appears he's been taking lessons from the Chris Christie playbook
How can something so trivial be reported while a liberal fascist Kenyan Muslim tax and spend liberal is in the White House? What about Bengazi? Whitewater was never cleared up either.
"Mrs Wright" : "Now if all the Democrats in Washington who lied cheated are corrupt and practice self serving politics would resign....are country may see better days"
Mr. Wright 😉
Now if all the Republicans in Washington who lied cheated are corrupt and practice self serving politics would resign....are country may see better days
Re: "...His decision comes on the heels of a state ethics commission finding that the Republican had broken 11 campaign finance rules since 2010."
I just LOVE ‘law ‘N order’ republicans!
Listening to them/their (‘professional-obfuscator’) excuse making is ALMOST as 'heart-warming' as listening to the R.C.C.'s excuses concerning (the recently released) Monsignor William Lynn!