DUNCAN BAIRD: Contender for retirement system job.

Care to handicap who’ll be chosen to be the next director of the Arkansas Public Employee’s  Retirement System, where a board newly controlled by Gov. Asa Hutchinson recently forced the retirement of Gail Stone?

Michael Wickline of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported today that the field of applicants has been narrowed to eight. They include former Republican legislator Duncan Baird, who’s been budget chief for the Hutchinson administration. His direct boss is Finance and Administration Director Larry Walther, who is on the committee selecting the next APERS director. Baird has been touted for the job by Republican Sen. Bart Hester. Baird lists Hutchinson as a reference on his application. Should Baird leave DFA for APERS, they’ve just taken on Republican Charlie Collins for a budget job under Baird created just for Collins after he was defeated for re-election.

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You can check Wickline’s article for other contenders. In horse wagering terms, Baird would be known as the “chalk.” But upsets happen, even though Baird’s ascension has been predicted for weeks.

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