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Arkansas Democrats Plan Impeachment if Lt. Gov. Mark Darr Doesn't Resign

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr leaving the Arkansas Ethics Commission hearing in December.
Michael Hibblen
/
KUAR

Calls for Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr to resign are turning to plans for impeachment. House Minority Leader Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, told Arkansas News Bureau Friday steps would be taken to "at least try" to move for impeachment if Darr is still in office when the fiscal session begins February 10th.

Leding's comments come just one day after State Representative Harold Copenhaver, D-Jonesboro, speaking on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, told The City Wire they would move forward with the impeachment process if Darr doesn't resign before the fiscal session.

A growing number of lawmakers are asking for Darr's resignation after fines and investigations for numerous ethics violations related to the improper reporting and misuse of campaign and state funds. Some Republicans, including every member of the Congressional Delegation, have also called for Darr's resignation.

Republican House Speaker Davy Carter told reporter John Lyon he'd begin the impeachment process with a majority vote and House spokeswoman Cecillea Pond-Mayo said Friday a simple majority would be sufficient.

If successful in the House, the resolution to impeach would move to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required in the Republican held chamber.

Jacob Kauffman is a former news anchor and reporter for KUAR.