End of era in county government: Stephens won’t run
Faulkner County residents haven’t known a tax assessor with a last name other than Stephens in nearly three decades.
That’s about to change.
Jeff Stephens said Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to an 11th two-year term. He was elected in 1992 to succeed his late father, L.P. Stephens, who served four terms.
“It’s time to pursue other opportunities,” Jeff Stephens, 49, said.
The 28-year family reign began when L.P. Stephens took office in 1985. Jeff Stephens joined the assessor’s office staff during his father’s four-term tenure.
“I just sort of worked out that I ran for the office when Dad decided to step aside,” Jeff Stephens said. “We sure didn’t plan it that way. It was just one of those things.”
The younger Stephens, a Democrat, defeated Johnny Camp in the 1992 general election with more than 60 percent of the votes. He never faced opposition again in his nine re-election bids.
The elder Stephens died 11 years ago at age 73 from complications with diabetes.
“I never said anything to L.P. when he ran and I haven’t interfered with Jeff’s plans while he’s been in office,” Mae Stephens of Conway, L.P.’s widow, said. “L.P. was sort of his own man on decisions and Jeff is, too. I know that whatever Jeff decides to do will be the right thing.”
L.P. and Mae Stephens owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store and bait shop in Conway for 13 years in the 1960s and ‘70s. Their family roots extend to northeast Faulkner County.
Jeff Stephens’ wife of 25 years, Anita, is a nurse with the Conway School District. The Conway natives live north of the city near Greenbrier. They have two sons: Benjamin, 20, who lives in Colorado with his wife, Callie, and Matthew, 17, a junior at Conway High School.
“I appreciate the people of Faulkner County allowing me to work for them the past 20 years,” Jeff Stephens said.
