Arkansas Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson says a key legislative leader will be his budget director after he takes office next year.
Hutchinson on Monday named Republican state Rep. Duncan Baird of Lowell to serve as his budget director. Baird is currently the co-chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination for state treasurer in May.
Hutchinson also said campaign spokesman J.R. Davis would serve as his communications director and campaign manager Jon Gilmore would be his deputy chief of staff.
Hutchinson is a Republican. He defeated Democrat and fellow ex-congressman Mike Ross in the Nov. 4 election and will replace Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, who is leaving office in January due to term limits. Hutchinson will be inaugurated Jan. 13.