Former State Representative Phil Wyrick said that he intends to run for Pulaski County Judge according to an e-mail sent to The Think Tank.  Wyrick served as head of the Livestock and Poultry Commission under Governor Mike Huckabee and has a farm in Mabelvale where he raises cattle.  He’s also the husband of Little Rock City Director B.J. Wyrick.

According to the e-mail, “Wyrick said his first issue — and his second and third — is the County Jail. He said he doesn’t have an exact plan yet and says it will likely take four years (two terms) to get the facility operating at its needed level, but he was committed to the task. He said Sheriff Doc Holladay had made a good start on the jail, but needed leadership from the county for the necessary money.  Wyrick said incumbent Judge Buddy Villines had been “MIA” on the jail issue. Villines is a Democrat. But Wyrick said his race would have little to do with partisan issues. “I’m a conservative,” Wyrick said. “But I’ve been a manager, both in state government and my private business.” He said he had no designs on starting a political career by running. “We have to make the jail work.””

It’s no secret that the jail is a huge issue in Pulaski County.  And it doesn’t appear to a partisan issue.  I’ve heard Mayor Mark Stodola speak several times about the need for a jail and the County’s lack of leadership on the issue, despite leading the efforts of such projects as the Big Dam Bridge.

In 2006, Judge Villines and the Little Rock Chamber ran a campaign to try and pass  a tax increase to fund the jail.  Tagged “the jail tax” by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the measure failed.

Wyrick will be a single issue candidate.  The jail is Judge Villines’ “achilles heal” according to political insiders, although they caution that the City isn’t devoid of responsibility.  How will Mrs. Wyrick handle questions when attention is re-directed to the City?

It’s an interesting dilemma and should make for a fine campaign, so long as it stays positive.  As I’ve advocated many times in this space, there should be total transparency from both the county and city on the issue of the jail.

Hopefully a competitive campaign will better inform the public.