The Democrat ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2018.
Educator Anthony Bland formally announced his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Hot Springs Wednesday afternoon. He also released a campaign video on social media.
“I am running for the Democrat nomination for governor because I believe, as a Democrat, our communities need a voice that will represent unity, equality and justice,” Bland states on his website. “What we need are policies that make sure that everybody is treated fair, and we need to create jobs right here in Arkansas from the Ozarks to the Delta.”
The Arkansas native attended public schools graduating from J.A. Fair High School. He graduated from Arkansas Baptist College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Bland earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Phoenix. Bland is currently employed as a business teacher in the Little Rock School District.
He was ordained as a Baptist minister at the age of 17. After many years of ministry he obtained a Master of Theological Studies from Regent University in 2019.
In the Democratic primary, Bland will face Chris Jones, James “Rus” Russell and Supha Xayprasith-Mays. Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. is also seeking the office.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Sarah Huckabee Sanders are seeking the Republican nomination. Governor Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.
The general election is Nov. 8, 2022.