Posted on 03/16/2002 6:17:54 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
First lady Janet Huckabee, whose husband is seeking re-election as governor, is expected to seek the Republican nomination for secretary of state, political officials said Friday.
The first lady planned to make an announcement Saturday on the Capitol steps, said Michael Manley, who said he was her campaign manager. He would not reveal the subject of the event.
State Land Commissioner Charlie Daniels, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for secretary of state, said he has heard Janet Huckabee would run. ``She'll be a good adversary,'' he said.
The Democratic Party chairman also said she was expected to seek the office.
``I'm surprised they're doing this, both of them on the ballot at one time,'' chairman Ron Oliver said.
The political filing period begins Tuesday and ends April 2. The primary is May 21 and the general election is Nov. 5.
Janet Huckabee's campaign for statewide office would be a first for the wife of a sitting Arkansas governor. She and Gov. Huckabee would be the first husband-and-wife tandem in memory to run for statewide offices.
Secretary of State Sharon Priest, a Democrat, is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.
Janet Huckabee, 46, has been a stay-at-home mother of three during her husband's tenure as governor.
The family lived in a triplewide manufactured home for 16 months during renovation of the governor's mansion in 2000-01.
Two manufactured housing industry trade groups paid her $3,000 each plus expenses for making speeches about the experience. The state ethics commission said no law prohibited the governor's wife from accepting speaking fees.
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