Les Warren will be sworn in as the next state representative for District 25 in the Arkansas General Assembly this month, marking the end of John Vines' six-year tenure in the seat.
Vines, a Democrat, announced in September 2015 he would not seek a fourth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Warren, a Republican, was elected in November to succeed his friend in his first public office.
"John Vines has done so much good for Hot Springs and Garland County," Warren said. "I can just tell you that when I have been going over through orientation and meeting people, every time I turn around the comments are the same.
"'Well, Les, I hope you know, you've got big shoes to fill.' Of course I respond and say, 'I am going to do my best.' This was people on both sides of the aisle saying, 'We love John Vines.' He is one great guy. That was from Democrats and Republicans alike."
"I was never a political lifer," Vines said. "I'm not one of those guys that has to be on the ballot or has to be in a meeting."
Vines is an attorney with Wood, Smith, Schnipper, Clay and Vines. He said he struggled to balance his family and professional life with the duties of his political office.
"When I'm here, I need to be in Little Rock and when I'm in Little Rock, I need to be here," Vines said. "It just got to the point where I couldn't juggle it."
Vines said he sees no other opportunities in the near future to seek another office. He said he plans to enjoy time with his family and spend more time at his practice.
"I just need to buckle down, do my best to make a living, pay my taxes and be as solid of a citizen as I can," Vines said. "There's no motive or agenda."
Vines first announced his candidacy for the open District 25 seat in August 2009. He won the May 2010 primary and was uncontested in the November general election.
"There was an opportunity and I always had an interest," Vines said. "It was just one of those rare open seat opportunities and I took advantage of it."
Democrats enjoyed a majority in the state Legislature at the time. Republicans gained a majority in 2012 and even more seats in 2014, but Vines said the shift in dynamics did not affect his role in the House.
"I never had issues or problems passing or running bills just because stuff that I ran and initiated did not tend to be partisan in nature," Vines said.
"It wasn't Democratic or Republican in nature. I tried to run them as good for the city, county and the state. I tried to stay away from 'gotcha' bills or one-sided or put people in a bad light. I'm not saying you pass every bill or every issue, but the things that we needed to get done for Hot Springs and Garland County I always felt it was pretty successful," Vines added.
Warren praised Vines' "incredible reputation" in the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock. He said the two have been friends since long before Vines began his political career.
"I think he did a really good job of listening to the people in Hot Springs and Garland County and seeking to represent them to the best of his ability," Warren said. "I hope I can do that, as well."
Vines said he stays neutral in other political races and focuses on his own duties. He said he felt voters had two good options between Democrat candidate Jerry Rephan and Warren in the election.
"Les and Jerry both are very solid individuals and brought a lot to the table," Vines said. "Couldn't go wrong either way.
"I have known Les a long time," Vines added. "Les was involved in my campaigns. His sons went door-to-door for me. I can't say enough good things about he and his family. They are dear friends of mine, but at the same token, I tried to stay out of all of that. When you get into those types of races, people need to pick their own."
Vines said he has also shied away from political labels, especially "conservative" and "liberal." He said the Arkansas General Assembly has always functioned well despite which party has held a majority.
"I hope we are not entering an era where, 'You guys go sit over here and you guys sit over here,'" Vines said. "I make no bones about it, my best friend, my seat mate and the guy I talk to daily is a Republican from north Arkansas, David Branscum."
Vines said labels and partisanship can stifle dialogue. He said a common fear is for the state Legislature to develop a more partisan nature like Congress in Washington, D.C.
"At the end of the day, you kind of shuck your labels and you do what is best for the state of Arkansas," Vines said. "Not to pick on our friends in D.C., but you always hear about that attitude and that mentality. The last thing you want is for that to trickle down into the state of Arkansas and into those chambers. You just hope that doesn't permeate that building because it is such a special place. Despite what you think or read or know, a lot of good things come out of that building."
Term limits were set at six years in the state House and eight years in the Senate until 2014 when Arkansas voters approved an omnibus bill that now allows state legislators to serve 16 years in the same office. Vines said he was against the bill because it was "too big" and "misleading." He said it was a personal choice, not a political move, to honor the previous three-term limit.
Many state legislators are starting out in their careers or nearing the end of them. Vines said he is part of a minority in the General Assembly who are still in the heart of their professional careers. He said pulling back from the Legislature will allow him to spend more time with his wife, his two young daughters and in the community.
"I am very excited for Les and what he is going to do and I know he will serve the community in a fantastic fashion," Vines said. "He is a classy individual."
"When you follow a really good friend, I think that means something," Warren said. "I hope to continue to bring honor to the seat."
Local on 01/01/2017