Lieutenant Governor Mark A. Darr

Mark Darr took office in January 2011 as the state's 15th Lieutenant Governor. He is the youngest Republican to be elected to a statewide office in Arkansas.

Darr is a strong advocate for government transparency and economic development. As a candidate, he ran on the promise of helping to put an end to wasteful spending by implementing an online checkbook. Senate Bill 221, the Arkansas Financial Transparency Act, was signed into law on March 14, 2011. Darr is a firm believer in utilizing Arkansas' natural energy resources, through natural gas and lignite exploration. He will continue to promote and encourage the study of the 4.5 billion tons of lignite which has been identified in the southern region of the state in hopes that it will bring more jobs and economic prosperity.

Darr has started businesses in both Central and Northwest Arkansas. He was born in Fort Smith (Sebastian County), in 1973, and is the youngest of four children. His father, the late Johnnie Darr, was a Southern Baptist minister who taught his children at an early age the value of faith, family and principle.

The Lieutenant Governor grew up in Mansfield where he attended public schools. Darr attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia where he received his bachelor's degree. A gifted vocalist, he has traveled the state performing for different groups.

Darr was selected to serve on the National Lieutenant Governor's Association (NLGA) Policy Resolutions Committee. He was also chosen by NLGA to represent Arkansas at the 110th China Import and Export Fair. Darr was recently inducted into the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's 40 Under 40 class of 2011. He and his wife Kim, an educator, and their two children reside in Springdale. He and Kim are members of Cross Church in Springdale. Darr is a licensed insurance agent.