Saunders to back out of Senate race

Rep. Rick Saunders (D-Hot Springs) says that he will back out of his bid for the state Senate in 2010 and will not seek another elected office once his House term expires in December, 2010. Saunders, who serves as chairman of the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee, had announced his intentions to seek the seat being vacated by the term-limited Sen. Terry Smith (D-Hot Springs). Others who have announced for the seat include Democratic Rep. Gene Shelby and Republican Rep. Bill Sample.

In a news release, Saunders says that "on the advice of my physician, I have determined that I will not seek the open State Senate District 19 seat here in Hot Springs." He further states that such a run would not be in the best intersts of his long-term health.