Keith Ingram offers look back at time in Arkansas State Legislature

Longtime local political fixture out of office for first time since 2008

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Political careers begin and end all the time. As Reginald Murdock of Marianna was sworn in as the new State Senator for District 9 (formerly District 24) last Monday, so ended the term of State Senator Keith Ingram who did not seek re-election in 2022.

Ingram had been the state senator representing most of Crittenden County and several surrounding areas since being elected to the seat in 2008.

As his term drew to a close, Ingram, who also previously served the people of Crittenden County as a State Representative and the people of West Memphis as mayor, offered a look back at his time in office.

“To the residents of Crittenden, St. Francis, Lee, Cross, and Phillips counties, for whom I’ve had the honor and privilege of serving both as a state representative and senator: I thank you,” said Ingram.

“Thank you for trusting me with the incredible responsibility I’ve held for the last 14 years. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and your shared commitment to making the Delta a better place for those who call it home – today and tomorrow.”

Ingram reflected on his time in Little Rock and what it has meant to him.

“My love and admiration for the historic hallways of our nation’s most beautiful state Capitol began when I was just a boy, wandering the halls while my father worked,” he said. “I saw first-hand the impact good government can have and what it can accomplish for our friends, neighbors, and communities. There isn’t a day I walk the Senate chambers that I don’t think back and appreciate all those who came before me and what it means to be a member of this body. I first walked onto the floor of the Arkansas Senate when I was eight years old, and I had a sense of awe for this institution and its elected leaders. I still carry that sense of wonder for this institution to this day.”

Ingram’s father W.K.

“Bill” Ingram was a state senator himself from 1963 to 1981. Keith’s older brother Kent succeeded the elder Ingram in office, serving until 1990, so it was only natural that Keith follow in their footsteps all the way to Little Rock.

“My father and his colleagues set an example that I determined at a young age that I would follow and set about a path to service,” Ingram said.

“I hope that my work at the Capitol the last 14 years has had some positive impact on the lives of the men and women who sent me there.”

And while the work was always worthwhile, Ingram said, the path was not always easy.

“Over the last few years, we have seen Washington’s nasty, nonsensical partisan politics creep into our Capitol,” he warned.

“Your friendship and support have made all the effort to combat those threats to our citizens worthwhile. I hope that you will continue to throw your support behind the legislators who continue to fight the good fight to serve and protect our communities. The chambers of our General Assembly have seen many great men and women, and I have enjoyed working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make Arkansas a better place to live, work and learn.”

Ingram may be out of the Arkansas Senate, but he has not “retired” per se, as he still has a heart for the people of Crittenden County and the State of Arkansas.

“Serving the citizens of our district has been a lifelong dream realized,” he said. “And while my time in the General Assembly is coming to an end, my call to service never will. I will continue to be your neighbor, your friend, an advocate, and a resource to the citizens of the Delta.”

With that, Ingram signed off on his tenure.

“Again, I thank you for the opportunity you have given me to represent you these last few years, and I hope to continue to serve you in different capacities in this new chapter of life,” he said. “For the last time from the Capitol, it was always my great honor and sincere privilege to serve you as your state senator. This is Keith Ingram.”

Photo courtesy of KMI

From West Memphis to Little Rock and back again…

State Senator and former State Representative and Mayor of West Memphis Keith Ingram offered some parting words for the people of Crittenden and surrounding counties at the end of his term in the Arkansas Senate, which ended with the beginning of the 2023 legislative session in LIttle Rock on Jan 10.