Arkansas Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter says he's running for lieutenant governor next year, opting out of a race for the state's top office.
Burkhalter on Tuesday announced he's running for the Democratic nomination for the state's No. 2 constitutional office.
Little Rock School Board President Dianne Curry also announced Tuesday that she's running.
Burkhalter, 56, had been considering a run for governor.
Burkhalter is the president of Burkhalter Technologies, a North Little Rock construction company.
He was appointed to the state Highway Commission in 2011 and is a former chairman for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Curry, 59, was first elected to the school board in 2006.
Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr hasn't said whether he'll seek re-election next year and is also considering running for Congress.
