.inner_percentage.CrossFiled { He's a physicist and a religious leader, and now he's a candidate for the Arkansas governorship, jumping into the race with a viral video. } .widget-row.Democratic { And that theres the infrastructure for response, particularly in places like Arkansas that havent had the resources that are there before. text-align: center; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: center; .widget-value { Friday was the deadline for state candidates to file their quarterly campaign finance reports with the secretary of state's office. So what are the problems that you see? $('.hideResponses').on('click', () => { Trumps Lawyer Did Him No Favors on Thursday. vertical-align: top; The Democrat is a physicist and an ordained minister. Arkansas is home to some of the most cutting-edge technology in solar energy. Griffin was initially in the governor's race, but in February announced that he would run for attorney general instead. Did you wake up one morning and see one too many potholes? position: relative; The final issue we asked about is a divisive one amongst Arkansans how to handle rising crime? Jones is scheduled to meet and share his vision with Arkansans in all 75 counties before March. } Asa Hutchinson said during his State of the State Address that he expects to rise. .clearfix { By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. But Democratic victories in the Georgia Senate races sparked hope that more of these states can be competitive. The filing period for candidates for state and federal offices in Arkansas is scheduled for Feb. 22-March 1, with the primary election May 24 and the general election Nov. 8, 2022. } .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} He has a wife and three daughters. .widget-row.Green { Rutledge, who is seeking the GOP nomination as well, reported raising more than $190,000 in contributions in the third quarter of this year, bringing her fundraising total to more than $1.6 million. READ ALSO: Former State Rep. Jay Martin Enter Race for Arkansas Governor. Jones is the state's former Fair Housing Commission director. Its really a two-part message. margin: 0; She is the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. That includes the requirements of ID matching and signature matching for absentee voting. "The last few years have shown how much political . width: 50%; | Heres what Jones had to say on Fathers Day. But we need your help to do even more. #weARone #FaithInAR pic.twitter.com/XR0WyLOJwx. Media personality Doc Washburn is also running in the Republican race, as James Russell, Supha Xayprasith-Mays, Anthony Bland, and Jay Martin are all competing against Jones on the Democratic side. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? } Federal courts | Right now Arkansas is dead last in voter registration and turnout. color: #888; font-weight: 200; Jones makes history as the first Black American nominated for any statewide office in Arkansas. position: relative; And there are a number of solutions out there that have not been tried. } 0. Left: Ballotpedia features 408,463 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. display: inline-block; The Arkansas Capitol is lousy with Christian nationalism these days, with lawmakers in an ongoing rap battle over who can spout off the most scripture. Arkansas gubernatorial Democratic nominee Chris Jones is closing the gap against his Republican opponent Sarah Huckabee Sanders ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election. clearInterval(nTimer); Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. This rising number is an issue that has Hutchinson looking to spend millions of tax dollars to build more prison space. Im a kid from Pine Bluff. Arkansas native Chris Jones announced his Democratic campaign for Governor of Arkansas in downtown Pine Bluff and in a launch video released on social media. To invest in healthcare and education. margin-bottom: 1px; Washington County's County Judge Joseph Wood raised $36,324 in contributions and spent $25,153 for the primary, leaving a balance of $43,663 on Sept. 30. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power? Photo via Chris Jones/YouTube. Our monthly magazine is free at over 500 locations in Central Arkansas. Fantasy scenario: I wave a magic wand and youre having a sit down with President Biden and Vice President Harris. 118) Clemson edge KJ Henry (No. I want every child in Arkansas to have those opportunities. "Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes (No. height: 50px; Photo illustration by Slate. .widget-row.Libertarian { The Promise to Protect Teacher Pay, Resources, and Retirement. .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} One that reaches every community. } He entered the race on Sept. 13. Arkansas is my home and home to my family since before Arkansas was a state and where I wanted to raise my girls. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. I grew up eating honeysuckle, fighting grasshoppers, and riding dirt bikes. Heres whats happening. So I would encourage them to invest in infrastructure that would allow folks to use both old schoolpicking up the phone and calling, going through churchesand new school technologySMS, and so on and so forthto make sure that were aware of whats going on in real time, because you can find out whats happening in real time. I would say Arkansas is a nonvoting state. Jones campaign website gives this brief, and impressive biography. padding-bottom: 8px; After the pandemic were ready for a real recovery. On this program, and on national television, and pretty much anywhere where anybodys paying attention, everybody is talking about voting rights. font-size: 0.9em; "When you think about how we lock up individuals because they're late on certain payments, which puts a strain on the system and takes them out of their communities and their families. There have been only 11 African American U.S. senators. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? } And what solutions do you have that havent already been tried? Do you plan on bringing them in at any point, or is that no longer a name that rings out in the streets in Arkansas? On Fridays episode of A Word, I spoke with Jones about his unlikely path to politics and his hopes for the race. Asa Hutchinson, who is unable to again run for re-election due to term limits. Much as I did as the executive director of the Arkansas Innovation Hub, I will work to develop programs that support innovation, whether for small business owners or for those who wish to learn a new trade and receive credentialing. color: white; } position: absolute; And people are beginning to come on board and beginning to help. Nuclear engineer and ordained minister Chris Jones has won the Democratic nomination for governor in Arkansas as he mounts an uphill bid for the extremely red state's top . We need elected officials that value honesty, and work with their constituents to get them what they need to succeed and continue to build in our communities. Democratic candidate Jesse Gibson, a Little Rock attorney, reported raising $28,240 and spending $51,768 for the primary last quarter, leaving a balance of $78,066 on Sept. 30. We gave them four months to do a sit-down interview, but they declined to talk to THV11 and that they did not have anything to contribute right now. His wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, is an air force veteran and ER doctor. His cumulative . Being Black in America is always an obstacle, and yesrace matters. Associated Press. font-weight: bold; It is imperative to understand that Christian nationalists have exchanged previously held traditionally conservative values for authoritarian values such as winning at any cost, fomenting division among the American people, and ridiculing political opponents. The Promise to Bring People Together In Government. letter-spacing: .04em; We need to pay competitive salaries to support and attract the highly qualified teachers that parents and kids are asking for. } How old were you at the time? .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { Dr. Chris Jones grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She announced her bid for governor in late January. Arkansas native Chris Jones announced his Democratic campaign for Governor of Arkansas in downtown Pine Bluff and in a launch videoreleased on social media. word-wrap: break-word; We will set out to prove that politics and governance do not have to be divisive and destructive, and that we can debate ideas and hold one another accountable while still uniting as Arkansans. My vision is that Arkansas can realize its potential and reach its promise through Faith, Hope & Hard Work the Faith that together we can address our challenges, the Hope that unified we make space for all Arkansans to live out our unique potential, and the Hard Work of change in our souls and in our lives. padding-left: 10px; If there's one thing that's clear: Arkansas deserves better than division and discord. The last few years have shown how much political division can tear us apart. Physicist/minister Chris Jones announces his bid to be Arkansas' next governor "Arkansas is ready for a big leap forward, but we need the right leaders" Pine Bluff, Ark., native Christopher "Chris" Jones has announced his candidacy to be the next governor of Arkansas. And so every person everywhere deserves to have their vote protected. Actually, Disneys Lawsuit Against DeSantis Is Really Troubling. Youre a scientist. Democrat Chris Jones wants to focus on more thorough training of officers. } Given the challenges we face and the future that I want to help create for my daughters, it was time for me to jump in the ring. Im blessed. He's super approachable, smart as hell, and funny. Jones' campaign website stated the following: All children in Arkansas should have access to a high quality preschool in their own community where they can get the foundation they need to start school. Im in this race because the people of Arkansas deserve a voice and a governor who will listen.". All Rights Reserved. } What is the message that you would deliver if you could have that group assembled in front of you about voting rights? "While over 80% of donors to my campaign are from Arkansas, 87% of my opponent's donors are from out-of-state. Libertarian candidate Ricky Harrington, citing his past work in the Department of Corrections, said that he wants to change habits within departments, especially for those with authority. } Ordained minister and Democratic candidate for governor Chris Jones takes on Christian New West Central clinic revealed, ready for patients Monday. Jones is a physicist and ordained minister. Exclusive: Arkansas Governor Candidate Chris Jones Talks Fragile Democracy and Beating An Inaccessible Adversary. The Promise for Arkansans Who Rent Their Homes. .race_header.green { Sanders also followed up and said that she "would not advocate" for exceptions in the case of rape or incest. Former Arkansas Innovation Hub executive director Chris Jones announced his intentions Tuesday (June 15) to seek the Democratic nomination for Arkansas governor in 2022. Ive reached out to you name it, in state and out of state. She has raised more money from in-state donors than all of her opponents combined, totaling $3.7 million from nearly 10,000 Arkansans, according to a news release. position: relative; } Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. .indicate_scroll { font-size: 12px; } Im running because we want a governor focused on healthy families and thriving neighborhoods not whats happening in Washington. width: 100% width: 150px; Cities | $('.showResponses').hide(); overflow-x: auto; Whether its irrigating fields, maintaining flooded timber for duck season, or ensuring we have clean drinking water in our towns and cities, we need to make the best of the historic investments coming in from the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill. Its Foxs World. . And GOP leaders at the state and federal level have done everything they can to keep that advantage, from gerrymandering to restricting voting rights. width: 350px; .widget-key { And when you look at the counties, we have 75 counties, 3 million people. This starts with PB&Jexpanding preschool to all families, affordable broadband for every home, and economic development focused on creating high wage jobs. } I grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and always had a deep love for science. They have 25 percent of Black population or higher. color: white; Jones has spent his career promoting science, engineering, faith, equity, and inclusion with graduate degrees in nuclear engineering and urban planning, according to Jones' website. Privacy Policy. All it does is it creates a cycle that that's really difficult to get out of," Jones said. They havent been successful. Wood announced his campaign for lieutenant governor on May 17. So that was the spark. "I certainly support Roe v. Wade. Because a lot of times when people run, theyll say, Oh, well, we got to do something about education. That was a tough day for a kid in America. Candidates running for governor of Arkansas are wrapping up their campaigns this week with a final plea to voters. To view Jones' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here. Democratic candidate Kelly Krout, a foster care advocate from Lowell who entered the race on Sept. 9, reported raising $55,117 and spending $11,049 for the primary, leaving a balance of $44,167 on Sept. 30. So I think what makes us different is that were going to listen. Businessman James Russell III of Little Rock reported raising $737 and spending $4,013 for the primary in the third quarter. margin-top: 0px; Hell face Republican Sarah Sanders and Libertarian nominee Ricky Dale Harrington in the November election. Jones believes taking Arkansas into the future requires: After graduating from Watson Jones High in Pine Bluff, he went to Morehouse College on a full scholarship from NASA. margin: auto; left: 0; } .votebox { All rights reserved. font-weight: bold; Chris Jones, the former head of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, will seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Arkansas, he announced Tuesday. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. display: inline-block; Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. School districts | .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} On so many measures of well being, Arkansas is at or near the bottom of the list not because it belongs there, but because the state has been ignored by leadership for far too long. .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. "Certainly, we want to support police officers by providing them with not only the resources necessary, but also by making sure that they're doing that the job with highest and best use," he said. Please check your inbox to confirm. font-weight: 300; Arkansas PBS. For the general election, he raised $5,000 in contributions last quarter, leaving a balance of $17,700. Land announced that he would seek reelection in January. Updated: Nov 9, 2022 / 05:06 PM CST. Chris Jones plans to help families find the resources they need to care for their loved ones and to ensure high standards of care and excellent staffing at nursing homes, The Promise to Improve Resources for Mental Health. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Another two were appointed, one of whom served only briefly in Louisiana in the 1870s. border:1px solid #FFB81F; background-color: grey; That said, I will use a veto if I believe that a law will not withhold legal challenge or if it violates critical rights like the right to vote. But at that moment, something in me opened up: a world of science, and sacrifice; service and exploration. From Hillary Clinton? Theyre in infrastructure. There is no problem in this state that Arkansans solve with faith and hard-work. color: #888; font-weight: bold; That skill has translated into a critical leadership skill in organizations and foundations that I have worked with. } Thurston has two primary challengers, state Rep. Mark Lowery of Maumelle and former state Sen. Eddie Joe Williams of Cabot. Asa Hutchinson is restricted by term limits from seeking a third term. "Kos" and "Daily Kos" are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC. "Certainly whatever changes are necessary to ensure that people feel safe, and feel like they can be a part of the broader Arkansas community is what I would not only support, but make any necessary changes to ensure that that happens," he said. The state has never elected an African American to a statewide office, to the U.S. Senate or to the House of Representatives. Democratic challenger Goldi Gaines of North Little Rock did not report raising or spending any money in the quarter ending Sept. 30, having entered the race on Oct. 10. Example video title will go here for this video. To live here, and to live out their own version of the American Dream, whether its to be a doctor, a teacher, a small-business owner, an actor, a poet, or a CEO. Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor Chris Jones calls out Christian nationalism as a phony front for division, racism and misogyny in a new piece published in Newsweek. The results have been certified. All Arkansans deserve dependable internet - whether for telemedicine, for school, for work, or for small business, and Chris Jones wants every Arkansan to have access. margin-bottom:0px; The three other Democratic gubernatorial candidates reported the following figures: Businesswoman Supha Xayprasith-Mays of Little Rock raised $6,600 in contributions and spent nothing for the primary last quarter. As I learned in his campaign's announcement video, he is an actual nuclear physicist and an ordained minister as of 2017. And my dad said, Thats Bill Clinton. And I was like, Oh, OK. .non_result_row div { Supporting the Arkansas Times' independent journalism is more vital than ever. Chris Jones (Democratic Party) ran for election for Governor of Arkansas. And that includes the distance that folks have to travel to get to their polling locations. His total raised increased to $51,605 and his total spent was $28,433. We want life to get back to normal, but not a return to the status quo. Personally for myself, I don't agree with it, but I know that I cannot control other people," he said. "Abortion is one of those issues that that even talking about it gets people fired up," he said. As we get closer to the election, here's a closer look into how each candidate feels about social issues from abortion, to transgender healthcare, to police reform. .votebox_legend .non_result_row { font-style: italic; improving education opportunities from cradle to career. Hutchinson announces support for prison expansion. text-align: left !important; But being deaf in one ear kept him from flying. Like many, as a youth the Democrat entertained the idea of becoming an astronaut. I grew up with big dreams. We are one big neighborhood. In this moment, Arkansas needs a compassionate and empathetic leader who has the humility to understand that this moment is bigger than any one of us, the grace to know how to bring a broad range of people together to address the very real challenges we face, and the real-life experience to manage a massive organization. You seem to have a very spiritually and intellectually and financially fulfilling life. .non_result_row { .votebox_bp_logo { His use of time as a metaphor connecting his ancestors to the here and now, the pastoral stole in his hands marked with dates, the image of him lovingly braiding his daughters hair, and of the chaos of the Jan. 6insurrection, along with his vision for uplifting Arkansans economic future, are all woven together in a seamless and powerful introduction. State Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe of Little Rock had not filed a third-quarter report by press time Friday, but said he had raised about $43,000 in the three-month period ending Sept. 30, leaving a balance of about $220,000. After becoming ordained as a minister, Chris returned home to Arkansas and led the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. PINE BLUFF, Ark. And to give Arkansans the tools we need to compete. Youre a church leader. } The bridges are breaking down. Jones says he is focused on rebuilding an organization that could use science and technology to open doors of opportunity for all Arkansans. top: -1px; So what I would say, as I think about this and your question, is that we are really like the Avengers coming together, and we need everyone. Tim Griffin of Little Rock reported raising $40,479 and spending $101,361 for the primary last quarter, boosting his total contributions to $1.5 million and his total expenses to $418,630 and leaving a balance of nearly $1.1 million on Sept. 30. padding-left: 8px; The results have been certified. margin-bottom: -2px !important; background-color: green; Met a guy, shook their hand. We want new goals, new possibilities, and new leadership that doesnt shy away from challenges, and instead, dares to dream big. What makes me different? }) Help elect this #GirlDad governor of Arkansas by chipping in $5, $10, or anything you can today: https://t.co/piHEhRMdE0 pic.twitter.com/LsGklcJH7Z. Dr. Christopher M. Jones was the executive director and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring creatives, supporting makers, and . Ive reached out to Mike Beebes folks, whos the former governor. line-height: 1.5em; margin: 8px auto; } By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Copyright 2021 KSLA. I will use innovative approaches to policy and production, including leveraging private-public partnerships, attracting businesses to the state, and protecting and uplifting the family-owned businesses that have been here for generations. One of the lessons, right or wrong, that a lot of Democratic voters took from President Joe Bidens victory is that the only way to win enough white Republicans is to run an old white guy, basically. The candidates are sticking mostly to party lines when it comes to social issues. 2023 He is the second Black man to do so in over 100 years; the first was businessman Josiah Homer Blount, in 1920, and another Black Democratic candidate, Anthony Bland, is formally announcing his run on Wednesday.