The Democratic Party of Arkansas has elected a new leader over the weekend. Ret. Col. Marcus Jones will serve as the chair, finishing out the term of Grant Tennille who resigned in July.
Jones was opposed by the interim chair, Jannie Cotton. Both told Little Rock Public Radio they expected to win.
“My life has been a life of service,” Jones said. “I am always looking for places to use my talents best.”
Jones is probably best known for his unsuccessful election against U.S. Rep. French Hill. Last year, Hill won almost 59 percent of the votes in central Arkansas, while Jones got a little over 40 percent. Though he didn't win, the campaign gave him a big opportunity to meet voting delegates and increase his name recognition.
Jones hasn't worked for the state Democratic Party before, but before his campaign he served for decades in the military
“I have led organizations big and small,” he said.
Jannie Cotton was in the position of vice chair when Tennille stepped down. She opted to serve as the interim chair until a meeting could be held for an official election.
“I don't plan on losing,” Cotton said of her attempt to retain the position permanently. Meanwhile, Jones told LRPR almost the same thing. He said after talking to the delegates he “had a good count” to win.
Democrats are complete underdogs in state politics. Republicans hold virtually every statewide elected position and supermajorities in the legislature.
“Tired of losing” was a commonly-referenced phrase at the hours-long election meeting. Both candidates echoed some version of the phrase in their comments.
Per parliamentary rules, Jones' candidacy speech was only a few seconds long. He wanted the party to do a little more.
“Simply saying raising money and electing Democrats,” he said. “We saw where that got us in the last election, We saw what that got us in the last national election.”
Cotton also said she wanted to “throw out the playbook.”
“We are behind,” she said in an interview. “80% of our counties have Republican legislators… we have disengaged voters, but we also have disengaged funders… I’m ready to win.”
Only county delegates are allowed to vote in elections for party chair. The group voted using an app giving them five minutes to make their decisions. The final tally was 128 to 76. Jones ended up with about 60 percent of the vote.
Jones' term will end in December 2026. Meanwhile, Cotton will continue to serve as the vice chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.
