LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Matthew Shepherd was elected to serve another term as speaker of the Arkansas House as lawmakers formally adjourned this year’s session Tuesday.
The majority Republican House elected Shepherd by voice vote as the chamber’s speaker-designate after Republican Rep. Austin McCollum, the majority leader and the only other announced candidate for the post, withdrew his candidacy.
Shepherd, a Republican from El Dorado, has served as House speaker since 2018. He has served in the state House since 2011.
The House elected Shepherd shortly after the Legislature formally adjourned this year’s session, which was focused primarily on the state’s $6 billion budget.
Republican Sen. Bart Hester was elected earlier this month to serve as the next Senate president pro tempore.
