Chris Jones kicks off 2nd Congressional district campaign with town hall & block party

LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — A familiar name in Arkansas politics is making another run for office. Pine Bluff native Chris Jones, who ran against Sarah Huckabee Sanders in the 2022 governor’s race, is now campaigning for Congress, aiming to represent the state’s Second Congressional District.

Jones kicked off his campaign Thursday night with a block party and town hall at the Dreamland Ballroom in Little Rock, where he said this time around, it’s all about listening to Arkansans.

“We’re showing up in every county in this district to hear from you all, to engage you all, to activate you all,” Jones told the crowd.

Jones, who won the Democratic nomination for governor two years ago, lost that race to Sanders with about 35 percent of the vote, but he says that experience taught him valuable lessons that he’s bringing into this race.

“Work hard and listen to Arkansas. That was deeply imbedded in me in this last run,” Jones said.

Supporters at Thursday’s event say they’re encouraged by Jones’ message and his focus on community engagement.

“The change that he’s going to create is going to be really meaningful, and he cares to listen to people,” said supporter Azalea Andrade.

Jones’ campaign centers on several pillars, building a stronger economy, expanding access to health care funding, and investing in education.

He says those are priorities he feels aren’t being fully addressed in Washington.

“Folks are saying look Chris we want change. The majority of this district are ready for something different,” Jones said.

Before facing off against incumbent Republican Congressman French Hill, Jones will first need to win the Democratic primary, where he’ll currently compete against candidate Zack Huffman, who’s also announced his candidacy.

Hill’s campaign declined to comment on the Democratic race.

Jones says Thursday’s town hall is the first of eight he plans to host across the Second Congressional District, with upcoming stops in Saline, Conway, and other counties.