From the Arkansas Advocate:
Chris Jones, the unsuccessful 2022 Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor, will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill in the 2026 congressional election.
Jones filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on July 21. He has yet to make a formal campaign announcement.
Hill has represented Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District since 2015, encompassing much of Central Arkansas. As of 2022, the district consists of most of Pulaski County and all of Saline, Faulkner, Perry, Van Buren, Cleburne and White counties. Hill and Jones both live in Little Rock, which is split between the 1st, 2nd and 4th congressional districts.
Jones is a pastor and scientist who grew up in Pine Bluff. His first foray into politics was his 2022 gubernatorial candidacy, in which he defeated four Democratic primary opponents but lost the general election, receiving 35% of the vote compared to Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ 63%.
Since then, Jones has co-chaired the national Dirt Road Democrats political action committee. He ran for, but did not win, a vice chair position on the Democratic National Committee.
Hill is a banker and a former aide to Sanders’ father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Hill filed his 2026 statement of candidacy with the FEC in November 2024, shortly after winning reelection to his sixth term.
The Democratic Party of Arkansas called Hill “a rubber stamp to [President Donald] Trump’s extremely unpopular agenda” in a Friday statement on Jones’ anticipated run for Hill’s seat.
“It’s clear: Arkansans deserve better, and it’s no surprise that Democrats are stepping up to make their case to voters,” party spokesperson Micah Wallace said in the news release. “…We’re anticipating a robust primary, and we’re wishing all of the candidates the best on the trail.”
Jones will face Zackary Huffman in next year’s Democratic primary, while Hill will face Chase McDowell in the Republican primary, according to FEC documents.
Last year, Hill defeated Democratic retired Army Col. Marcus Jones, 59% to 41%. Hill also survived challenges from then-state Sen. Joyce Elliott in 2020 and then-Rep. Clarke Tucker in 2018.
Arkansas’ other three U.S. representatives — Rick Crawford of the 1st District, Steve Womack of the 3rd District and Bruce Westerman of the 4th District — also filed FEC statements of candidacy in November.
All six of Arkansas’ members of Congress are Republicans, and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton has said he will seek a third term next year. Hallie Shoffner, a Newport farmer and businesswoman, announced her Democratic bid for Cotton’s seat in May. James Russell III, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial primary to Chris Jones, has also announced his Democratic candidacy for Cotton’s seat.
Additionally, Jonathan Pittman of Forrest City and Dan Whitfield of Bella Vista have both filed FEC statements of candidacy in the Democratic Senate primary.
According to FEC documents, Diana Lawrence and Robb Ryerse have filed to run in the Democratic primary for Womack’s House seat, and Samuel Baker has filed to run as a Democrat for Crawford’s House seat.
