CLOSE A banking executive and former highway commissioner won Tuesday's runoff for Little Rock mayor, becoming the first African-American elected to lead Arkansas' capital. Frank Scott, 35, defeated Baker Kurrus in a runoff election. (Dec. 5) AP

This combination of file photos shows candidates for mayor of Little Rock, Ark., from left, Frank Scott and Baker Kurrus, who were running in the Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, runoff election for the nonpartisan, open seat. (Photo: AP)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A banking executive and former highway commissioner won Tuesday's runoff for Little Rock mayor, becoming the first African-American elected to lead Arkansas' capital six decades after it was the center of a school desegregation crisis.

Frank Scott, 35, defeated Baker Kurrus in the runoff election for the nonpartisan, open seat. He'll succeed outgoing Mayor Mark Stodola, who announced earlier this year he wouldn't seek re-election.

Scott served as an adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and on the state Highway Commission, and he assembled a coalition that crossed racial and political lines. His supporters included Democratic state legislators from the area and prominent Republicans such as Will Rockefeller, grandson of Arkansas' first Republican governor since Reconstruction. He also was endorsed by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat who's considering running for president in 2020.

Scott had said he wasn't running to be Little Rock's first elected black mayor , but had sought to bridge some of the city's biggest divides: race, income and geography.

"If you believe it's time to unify this city, let's do it," Scott told supporters Tuesday night.

Little Rock has had two black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members and not by voters. Some voters Tuesday said they hoped electing Scott would send a message about Little Rock.

"I just thought maybe it would help race relations in our town, which is not very good right now," said Mary Leckie, a 73-year-old white retiree who voted for Scott.

Scott's election comes as race remains a dividing line in Little Rock, long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The city's police department has faced questions about its tactics, including its use of "no-knock" warrants . The state took over the Little Rock School District three years ago, and community leaders have compared the takeover to Gov. Orval Faubus' efforts to block integration.

Kurrus, a 64-year-old attorney and businessman, had been appointed superintendent of the district after the takeover. His contract wasn't renewed after he opposed the expansion of charter schools in the district, a move that rallied Democratic lawmakers and community leaders to his defense. Kurrus, who is white, had also called unifying the city one of his goals in the campaign.

"Let's don't give in to the things that divide us. Let's get together, work hard and make this a better place," Kurrus told supporters after conceding the race.

Scott's election makes him the highest-profile black official in a state that hasn't elected an African-American to Congress or statewide office since Reconstruction. Blacks make up about 42 percent of the city's population, compared to nearly 16 percent statewide.

Scott and Kurrus advanced to a runoff last month after Scott won a plurality of votes in a five-person race but a few percentage points shy of the 40 percent needed to win outright. Both Scott and Kurrus ran on a promise of change. Stodola, the outgoing mayor, was first elected mayor in 2006.

"It's not a black or white thing with me," said Lula Binns, a 75-year-old black retiree who voted for Scott. "It's just time for some younger blood."

Scott's election comes after a year where African-Americans have made gains elsewhere in Arkansas. Pulaski County, where Little Rock is located, this year elected its first black sheriff and clerk. Several other Arkansas cities have also elected their first black mayors this year.

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Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/12/05/little-rock-arkansas-elects-frank-scott-first-black-mayor/2212383002/</s>Frank Scott Jr. has been elected Little Rock’s next mayor.

At that time, unofficial results from the Pulaski County Election Commission showed Scott with 9,590 votes and Kurrus, with 5,025 votes. Only early and absentee votes had been counted. With all precincts counted, unofficial results at 9:42 p.m. were:

Scott, an adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe who served on the state Highway Commission, becomes the first African American elected mayor of Little Rock, where divisions linger long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The city has had two black mayors, but both were elected city directors later chosen for the post by fellow board members.

Scott spoke to a crowd of cheering supporters at his watch party at Cajun's Wharf.

"We started this journey making certain we were going to directly engage each and every voter," he said. "So I thank every volunteer, every team member, every donor, every voter, anybody that shot up a prayer or a positive vibe, we just want to say thank you."

Scott thanked his parents, his supporters, Kurrus and anyone who cast a ballot in the race "whether you voted for me or not."

"For the voters that did not vote for us, I want to earn your support," he said. "Because our mission and vision started on September the 12th, 2017. People thought it was funny, but we wanted to talk about unifying our city."

Kurrus is a 64-year-old attorney and businessman who was superintendent of Little Rock schools after the district was taken over by the state.

Kurrus' contract with the school district wasn't renewed after he opposed the expansion of charter schools in the district, a move that rallied Democratic lawmakers and community leaders to his defense.

Kurrus had also called unifying the city one of his goals in the campaign.

"Let's don't give in to the things that divide us. Let's get together, work hard and make this a better place," Kurrus told supporters after conceding the race.

Scott and Kurrus advanced to the runoff from the general election, where five candidates vied for the position. Scott will succeed Mayor Mark Stodola, who didn’t seek reelection.</s>Frank Scott Jr., a banker and associate pastor raised south of an interstate that divides Little Rock by race and economic status, was elected mayor of Arkansas' capital city Tuesday.

His win marks the first time Little Rock has popularly elected a black mayor.

Scott's competition in the runoff election for the city's top political office was attorney and business consultant Baker Kurrus, after the Nov. 6 general election narrowed the field of five candidates to two.

On Tuesday, Scott took a sizable lead early on, and Kurrus conceded about 8:30 p.m., shortly after early votes and absentee ballots were counted.

Election day voters narrowed the margin, but Scott's victory was clear.

With all precincts reporting, the unofficial vote totals were:

Scott, 35, has served on the state Highway Commission and was a senior adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe. During his campaign, Scott stressed unifying what many see as a divided city and creating more job opportunities. He grew up and still lives in southwest Little Rock, which encompasses some of the city's poorest areas.

Addressing a cheering crowd at his watch party at Cajun's Wharf, Scott thanked voters and volunteers.

"I thank you. For every text message and phone call, I thank you," he said. "And for the voters who did not vote for us, I want to earn your support."

Scott is the third black candidate to be elected to a high-profile office in Pulaski County this year. Eric Higgins was elected county sheriff in May, becoming the county's first black sheriff, and Terri Hollingsworth was elected circuit/county clerk in November.

Little Rock has had two black mayors before, both of whom were elected city directors who later were chosen for the post by fellow board members. The city of nearly 200,000 is approximately 42 percent black.

Kurrus, the former state-appointed superintendent of the Little Rock School District, did not return a phone call seeking comment on the election. Social media posts from his campaign thanked his volunteers, supporters and staff.

This year's election drew national attention, with Scott gaining endorsements from Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and activist Shaun King.

Current Mayor Mark Stodola announced in May that he would not seek a fourth term. Stodola, 69, will leave the office he has held for nearly 12 years in January.

Scott was the top vote-getter in the general election, but he fell about 3 percentage points shy of the 40 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff in accordance with state law.

Kurrus, 64, pulled about 29 percent of the vote in November. He outraised and outspent Scott during the campaign, reports filed with the Pulaski County clerk show. Both raised additional sums of more than $100,000 in the weeks leading up to the runoff.

In a recent interview, Scott said the race spoke to the importance of a "people-powered campaign" with an emphasis on getting people to the polls and gathering support from every ZIP code in the city.

The message of change resonated early on in the campaign, Scott said in his victory speech.

The 2018 mayoral race also marked the first without an incumbent since the city strengthened the office. In 2007, voters approved an ordinance giving the once-ceremonial position additional powers.

The passage of ordinance No. 19761 made the mayor a full-time position with authority over issues including preparation of the city budget, as well as veto power. The ordinance states that the mayor "shall be compensated with a salary and benefit package comparable to the highest ranking municipal official." The current salary is $160,000; it was $36,000 in 2006.

The mayor presides over city Board of Directors meetings but votes only in the event of a tie. If the mayor does not break the tie, the resolution in question fails.

Little Rock's current form of government of seven city ward representatives, three at-large board seats, a directly elected mayor and a city manager was approved by voters in 1993.

Scott will preside over a board that is on the whole older than him -- the youngest current member is 50 -- and has years of government experience.

All incumbent board members whose terms were up in November won their bids for re-election. Of the 10 members, seven have served for more than a decade. Three have been on the board for more than 20 years.

Kathy Webb, the vice mayor and Ward 3 representative who was first elected to her seat in 2014, congratulated Scott on Twitter shortly after 9 p.m.

"The long campaign is over; it's time to work together to move this city we love forward," Webb wrote.

Among the first issues facing the city in the coming year are the hiring of a new police chief, managing a tight budget and studying the city's form of government.

At the end of his election night speech, Scott said he was reminded of a verse from the Book of Esther. The Old Testament story tells of an adoptee in the king's palace who enjoyed the pleasant surroundings but found she had a job to do, he said.

"You shall not remain silent for such a time as this," the future mayor quoted. "So if you believe it's time to unify Little Rock, let's join this movement. It. Is. Time."</s>Frank Scott, a banking executive and former highway commissioner, won Tuesday’s runoff election for mayor of Little Rock. Scott emerged victorious despite the city’s powerful police union’s decision to endorse his opponent, Baker Kurrus. Though the city has had two black mayors, both were appointed, which means Scott is the first elected black mayor in Little Rock history.

In October, I published my investigation into the Little Rock Police Department’s use of explosives and no-knock warrants to violently serve drug warrants. The police were also using an informant who routinely lied about conducting drug buys. There’s good evidence that some of the officers misled in their testimony as well. It’s also now clear that nearly all the no-knock warrants served by the LRPD’s narcotics unit over the past several years were illegal. The warrant affidavits did not include information specific to each suspect as to why no-knock entry was necessary. Instead, they included word-for-word boilerplate about the dangerousness of drug dealers, a practice the Supreme Court has said violates the Fourth Amendment.

That investigation came up at the last mayoral debate before the general election. After Scott and Kurrus were forced into a runoff, Scott called for a federal investigation, while Kurrus advocated letting the LRPD look into the allegations internally. My year-long investigation of LRPD -- which looked at more systemic, long-running problems -- ran on the Friday before the general election. Scott again called for a federal investigation.

The issue then reentered the race a few weeks ago when Roderick Talley, the man whose surveillance video and open-records requests sparked my initial investigation into the drug raids, was arrested after fleeing an arrest. Talley was due for trial on an (also dubious) forgery charge, and was ordered arrested by the judge when, due to inclement weather, he showed up about a half hour late. He fled the courthouse to his car, and drove away. The police initially claimed that Talley had struck an officer with his car as he fled. When he turned himself in a couple days later, he was charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, and a slew of other crimes.

The Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police used the Talley incident against Scott. (The FOP has long been seen by black Little Rock officers as a “good ol' boy” network that’s much more aggressive protecting the rights of white cops than black ones, particularly in interracial disputes. Black officers started their own union in the late 1970s and have maintained it ever since.) The FOP posted a Facebook photo of Scott praying with Talley taken after the news conference announcing Talley’s lawsuit for the raid on his home. The Facebook post also included incendiary, racially loaded language about how Little Rock mayoral candidates who “align themselves with fleeing felons fail the qualifications for any public office." The FOP eventually took the post down. Both candidates denounced the post, but at the last debate before the runoff, Scott asked Kurrus to reject the FOP endorsement outright. Kurrus refused.

Scott will face challenges. Shortly after my longer LRPD piece was published, Chief Kenton Buckner accepted an offer to become police chief in Syracuse, N.Y. Currently, the police chief is chosen and hired by the the Little Rock city manager. Scott wants to change that, putting the decision in the mayor’s hands and, in theory, in the hands of someone more directly answerable to the electorate. But he’ll need cooperation from the city’s board of directors to make that happen.

Scott will also face a hostile FOP. He’ll get a lot of resistance that promises to make reform difficult, particularly in a city police department that’s still understaffed. One big issue that lots of people cited when I asked about the problems at LRPD was that most of the white police officers live outside the city. It’s important that cops feel as if they’re a part of the communities they serve -- and it’s just as important that those communities see police officers in the same way. But I don’t know how you go from a city where most of the white officers live outside the city to one where most live in Little Rock. You can’t force people to move. It’ll be a long process.

Finally, some good news about Talley. He’s out on bail, and the most serious charge against him -- aggravated assault on a police officer -- has been reduced to a misdemeanor. Talley has always maintained that he didn’t hit the officer with his car. Instead, he says the officer jumped on the hood of his car in an effort to prevent him from leaving, then slid off. It has also been known to all parties since the incident occurred that there is security camera footage that should determine who is telling the truth. That footage hasn’t yet been released, but the decision to drop the felony charge certainly suggests that it’s favorable to Talley. If it is exonerating, that makes the decision of the Cross County sheriff (amplified by police agencies all over the state) to put out an APB indicating that Talley was dangerous pretty inexcusable. That warning likely put Talley’s life at risk. Talley’s trial on the forgery charge has been set for March.

How Little Rock’s illegal police raids validate the Exclusionary Rule

Little Rock man who exposed illegal police raids faces felony charges after fleeing arrest

Read Radley Balko’s yearlong investigation of the LRPD: 'If you don’t get at that rot, you just get more officers like Josh Hastings’</s>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A banking executive and former highway commissioner won Tuesday’s runoff for Little Rock mayor, becoming the first African-American elected to lead Arkansas’ capital six decades after it was the center of a school desegregation crisis.

Frank Scott, 35, defeated Baker Kurrus in the runoff election for the nonpartisan, open seat. He’ll succeed outgoing Mayor Mark Stodola, who announced earlier this year he wouldn’t seek re-election.

Scott served as an adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and on the state Highway Commission, and he assembled a coalition that crossed racial and political lines. His supporters included Democratic state legislators from the area and prominent Republicans such as Will Rockefeller, grandson of Arkansas’ first Republican governor since Reconstruction. He also was endorsed by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat who’s considering running for president in 2020.

Scott had said he wasn’t running to be Little Rock’s first elected black mayor , but had sought to bridge some of the city’s biggest divides: race, income and geography.

“If you believe it’s time to unify this city, let’s do it,” Scott told supporters Tuesday night.

Little Rock has had two black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members and not by voters. Some voters Tuesday said they hoped electing Scott would send a message about Little Rock.

“I just thought maybe it would help race relations in our town, which is not very good right now,” said Mary Leckie, a 73-year-old white retiree who voted for Scott.

Scott’s election comes as race remains a dividing line in Little Rock, long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The city’s police department has faced questions about its tactics, including its use of “no-knock” warrants . The state took over the Little Rock School District three years ago, and community leaders have compared the takeover to Gov. Orval Faubus’ efforts to block integration.

Kurrus had been appointed superintendent of the district after the takeover. His contract wasn’t renewed after he opposed the expansion of charter schools in the district, a move that rallied Democratic lawmakers and community leaders to his defense. Kurrus had also called unifying the city one of his goals in the campaign.

“Let’s don’t give in to the things that divide us. Let’s get together, work hard and make this a better place,” Kurrus told supporters after conceding the race.

Scott’s election makes him the highest-profile black official in a state that hasn’t elected an African-American to Congress or statewide office since Reconstruction. Blacks make up about 42 percent of the city’s population, compared to nearly 16 percent statewide.

Scott and Kurrus advanced to a runoff last month after Scott won a plurality of votes in a five-person race but a few percentage points shy of the 40 percent needed to win outright. Both Scott and Kurrus ran on a promise of change. Stodola, the outgoing mayor, was first elected mayor in 2006.

“It’s not a black or white thing with me,” said Lula Binns, a 75-year-old black retiree who voted for Scott. “It’s just time for some younger blood.”

Scott’s election comes after a year where African-Americans have made gains elsewhere in Arkansas. Pulaski County, where Little Rock is located, this year elected its first black sheriff and clerk. Several other Arkansas cities have also elected their first black mayors this year.</s>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Voters are casting ballots in an election that could result in Little Rock's first popularly elected black mayor , six decades after Arkansas' capital city was the center of a school desegregation fight.

Frank Scott and Baker Kurrus are in Tuesday's runoff for the nonpartisan, open seat.

If Scott wins, he would be the first African American elected mayor of Little Rock, where divisions linger long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The city has had two black mayors, but both were elected city directors later chosen for the post by fellow board members.

The 35-year-old Scott was an adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and served on the state Highway Commission. Kurrus is a 64-year-old attorney and businessman who was superintendent of Little Rock schools after the district was taken over by the state.

FILE - This combination of file photos shows candidates for mayor of Little Rock, Ark., from left, Frank Scott and Baker Kurrus, who are running in the Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, runoff election for the nonpartisan, open seat. (The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP\, File)</s>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Voters are casting ballots in a runoff election that could result in Little Rock’s first popularly elected black mayor , six decades after Arkansas’ capital city was the centre of a school desegregation fight.

Frank Scott and Baker Kurrus are running in Tuesday’s runoff election for the nonpartisan, open seat. If Scott wins the race, he would be the first African American elected mayor of Little Rock.

The city has had two black mayors, but both were elected city directors who were later chosen for the post by fellow board members.

The 35-year-old Scott is a former adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe. He also served on the state Highway Commission. Kurrus is a 64-year-old attorney and businessman who was the superintendent of Little Rock schools after the district was taken over by the state.</s>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A banking executive and former highway commissioner has become the first African-American elected to lead Arkansas’ capital, six decades after it was the center of a school desegregation crisis.

Frank Scott defeated Baker Kurrus in Tuesday’s runoff for Little Rock mayor.

The 35-year-old Scott is a former adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and served on the state’s Highway Commission. The 64-year-old Kurrus, who is white, is an attorney and businessman.

Scott is the first African-American elected mayor of Little Rock, where divisions linger long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The city has had two black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A banking executive and former highway commissioner is poised to become the first African-American elected to lead Arkansas’ capital, six decades after it was the center of a school desegregation crisis.

Frank Scott took an early lead in results in Tuesday’s runoff for Little Rock mayor, and rival Baker Kurrus conceded to Scott an hour after polls closed.

The 35-year-old Scott is a former adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and served on the state’s Highway Commission. The 64-year-old Kurrus, who is white, is an attorney and businessman.

Scott would be the first African-American elected mayor of Little Rock, where divisions linger long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The city has had two black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members.</s>LITTLE ROCK — Voters are casting ballots in a runoff election that will determine who will be Little Rock's next mayor.

Frank Scott and Baker Kurrus are each vying for the nonpartisan, open seat.

If Scott wins, he would be the first African American elected mayor of Little Rock, where divisions linger long after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The city has had two black mayors, but both were elected city directors later chosen for the post by fellow board members.

The 35-year-old Scott was an adviser to former Gov. Mike Beebe and served on the state Highway Commission. Kurrus is a 64-year-old attorney and businessman who was superintendent of Little Rock schools after the district was taken over by the state.
Frank Scott Jr. is elected Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, defeating Baker Kurrus in the runoff. Scott will become the city's first African-American mayor.