Democrat Party executive resigns

LITTLE ROCK -- Glen Hooks, the executive director of the state Democratic Party, has resigned to start a political consulting business.

Hooks, 31, said Friday that he had been planning to leave his post at the end of the year. But "something has happened that sped up the clock a bit. I can't be more candid at this point," he said.

Hooks became the party's executive director in July 1998. He and party Chairman Vaughn McQuary said Hooks' decision to leave was his own and didn't come at the request of party officials.

Hooks said he planned to start the business with his friend and law school classmate, Robin Carroll of El Dorado. Carroll also is a lawyer for the party.

McQuary wished Hooks well and said the party would like to fill the position as soon as possible.