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GREENSBORO — Steve Arnold, the Guilford County commissioner who has served the past 20 years as a staunch advocate of limited local government, has decided not to run for re-election this year.

The High Point businessman, who has held an elected office since 1985, said Tuesday he would be “pursuing other opportunities,” bringing an end to recent speculation about his immediate political future.

However, he did not rule out returning to politics. He said he has considered running at some point for High Point mayor.

For now though, “I think it’s time to concentrate on other things right now,” said Arnold, 48. “Strictly private, strictly business.”

Political observers say Arnold has been weakened recently by business problems, including corporate and personal bankruptcies, which left him vulnerable to a challenge.

In December, a U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled Arnold could not avoid paying more than $1 million to a creditor as part of the fallout from his failed construction company, Arcon Inc. In his opinion, the judge wrote the case had “numerous badges of fraud” and noted Arnold admitted under oath to transferring land to family members to protect it from creditors.

Arcon and Arnold both filed for bankruptcy in 2007 with more than $12 million in outstanding debt.

Arnold has been a local political fixture since 1985, when he became one of the youngest City Council members in the history of his native High Point.

He went on to serve in the state House of Representatives from 1988 until 1990, when he ran for a seat on the Board of Commissioners and became chairman. Since then, he’s rarely seen a close race and ran unopposed in 2006.

In his five terms on the board, he has served as a foil to many a Democratic commissioner and lobbied ardently for limited government and spending. He even clashed at times with fellow Republicans, and many county budgets passed over the years with an Arnold “no” vote.

When he took over as board chairman at the age of 29, he led a tax-cutting movement that turned county government on its head. At one point, the deep cuts to the county’s social services and public health programs brought local ministers and other community activists marching in protest on the Guilford County Courthouse.

Last month, Arnold said his business troubles wouldn’t affect his decision as he considered his political future. He even floated the idea of running for mayor of High Point, something he says he’s still considering.

“Right now, I just want to say I’m extremely grateful to the people of High Point and Guilford County for letting me represent them in an elected capacity for the last 25 years.”

Several of Arnold’s fellow commissioners said they would be sad to see him go.

“I just think the world of Steve and his family, and I think he’s been a great commissioner,” said Commissioner Linda Shaw. Shaw, a fellow Republican, said she’s known Arnold since his college days and has seen him grow into a skilled politician and committed public servant.

In an alliance few ever thought possible, Arnold and Democratic board Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston — once bitter political rivals — put aside their differences two years ago to work together as chairman and vice chairman of the board.

Shaw said it was the best thing that’s happened to county government in a long time. “I thought if those two could come together and work to get things done, being such opposites, then anybody can,” Shaw said.

Even Democratic commissioners were generous in their praise for Arnold.

“He’s been an extremely honorable and professional commissioner, and I’ll be sorry to see him go,” said Commissioner Kirk Perkins. “I don’t always agree with him philosophically, but he’s always been open to talking to me, he’s been receptive and attentive even when we didn’t agree.”

Commissioner John Parks, a Democrat, agreed.

“The positive thing about (Alston and Arnold) teaming up was that it gave the public perception that the Democrats and the Republicans on the board could get along and could work together on things,” he said. “The public image of the board was definitely improved over what it was before.”

Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or joe.killian@news-record.com