Former Gubernatorial Nominee to Take on Hill in 2026

Chris Jones, who ran as the Democratic nominee for governor of Arkansas in 2022, is preparing to run for Congress in 2026. He submitted his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on July 21 and is expected to challenge Republican Representative French Hill, who has represented Arkansas’s Second Congressional District since 2015.

A pastor and scientist from Pine Bluff, Jones first entered the political spotlight during the 2022 gubernatorial race. He earned the Democratic nomination after defeating four primary opponents but lost to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in the general election, capturing 35 percent of the vote compared to Sanders’ 63 percent.

Since that campaign, Jones has remained active in national Democratic politics. He has served as cochair of the Dirt Road Democrats political action committee and made a bid for a vice chair position with the Democratic National Committee, though he was not elected.

Hill Brings Experience to the Race

Meanwhile, Hill enters the 2026 race with extensive political experience. A banker by profession and a former aide to Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Hill has been a familiar figure in Republican politics for years. He filed his candidacy for the 2026 election with the Federal Election Commission in November 2024, shortly after securing his sixth term in Congress.

In his most recent election, Hill defeated Democratic challenger and retired Army Colonel Marcus Jones by a margin of 59 to 41 percent. He also successfully defended his seat against strong challenges from former state senator Joyce Elliott in 2020 and former representative Clarke Tucker in 2018.

The Republican Second Congressional District

Arkansas’s Second Congressional District, a Republican stronghold, covers much of Central Arkansas. It includes most of Little Rock along with all of Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, Perry, Van Buren, Cleburne, and White counties. While the district leans Republican, the strong Democratic base in Little Rock makes it the most competitive congressional district in a state where all seats are currently held by Republicans.

Hill’s close ties to former President Donald Trump are expected to play a central role in the upcoming campaign. National debates over trade policy and files related to Jeffrey Epstein may provide Democrats with opportunities to challenge Hill on his support for Trump’s agenda.

Upcoming Primaries

In the primaries, Jones will face Zackary Huffman on the Democratic side, while Hill will compete against Chase McDowell in the Republican contest.

Arkansas’s other three United States representatives, Rick Crawford of the First District, Steve Womack of the Third District, and Bruce Westerman of the Fourth District, also submitted their candidacy paperwork to the Federal Election Commission in November 2024. On the Democratic side, Diana Lawrence and Robb Ryerse have entered the primary race for Womack’s seat, while Samuel Baker has filed to run against Crawford in the First District. All six of Arkansas’s current congressional members are Republicans.