© Rick McFarlandLt. Gov. Mark Darr
Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday called on Lt. Gov. Mark Darr to resign over ethics commission findings that Darr likely violated Arkansas campaign spending rules 11 times since 2010.
The Democratic governor's request for his Republican second-in-command to step down came a day after Darr agreed to pay $11,000 in fines to settle complaints that he misspent campaign cash and failed to keep adequate records.
"I think it's in everyone's best interest, including Mr. Darr, if he resign," Beebe said.
That may not happen anytime soon, though, as the governor also said he had spoken to Darr and Darr told him he intends to remain in office.
Darr couldn't be reached for comment immediately after Beebe spoke to reporters, but the lieutenant governor's spokeswoman, Amber Pool, confirmed he plans to stay on the job.
"Lt. Gov. Darr has no plans to resign," she said.
The ethics case is similar to one earlier this year against former Democratic state Sen. Paul Bookout. In August, Beebe was prepared to ask Bookout to quit over similar allegations. Instead, Bookout resigned, accepted the commission's findings and to pay $8,000 in fines and to repay campaign contributors.