Hendren won’t seek 2nd term as Arkansas Senate president

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Republican president pro tem of Arkansas’ Senate said Friday he won’t seek another term leading that chamber next year.

Sen. Jim Hendren said he won’t run for another two-year term as the chamber’s president when senators meet at the end of next year’s fiscal session to select a new leader. Hendren’s term as Senate president runs through the end of 2020.

“I think it’s time to let someone else have a chance,” Hendren said.

Hendren said he’s still seeking re-election to the Senate next year.

Hendren said he plans to decide after next year’s session whether to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2022. Hendren said he didn’t want to serve as the chamber’s leader and run a statewide campaign if he does jump in the governor’s race.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported Hendren’s decision Friday.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is Hendren’s uncle, is barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2022. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin has said he’s seeking the GOP nomination. Other potential GOP candidates for governor include former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.