Chris Jones sees path to build on 2nd District vote totals

Chris Jones, the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, is a 2026 candidate for U.S. Congress, District 2. He may have primary competition, but hopes to square off against incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, who also has an announced primary opponent.

Jones, this week’s TB&P D.C. Edition guest, said when he was running for statewide office against Gov. Sarah Sanders, he received about 44% of the vote in the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, which had Democratic-prone precincts from south Pulaski County cut out and Republican-leaning votes from Cleburne County added to the district.

“That shows a foundation in strength,” he said.

Jones also said internal polling has convinced him that his candidacy and message will have traction.

“We do have polling, and our polling has it as a dead heat, one-point race. So what that tells me is there is an opportunity. It’s not a foregone conclusion,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do, but what I also know is that there are folks who are thoughtful, mindful, yes, we have to get the folks who are going to vote Democrat. Got to get that. There’s some people that we want to persuade that are hurting, but there’s a large swath of folks who would consider any candidate. They are open – that 19% of the Second Congressional District – are trying to figure out where to go.”

Through a series of town halls, which he criticizes Hill for not conducting, Jones said he’s hearing from a lot of people who are hurting economically.

“Affordability. Folks are like, ‘I can’t afford anything and I thought it was going to be fixed on day one,’ but affordability matters. And that’s in healthcare. The cost of healthcare is going up like crazy… Rural hospitals are closing. That’s going to put pressure on our urban centers,” he said.

“The other thing I’m hearing from them is around education. People are deeply concerned about the quality of education, the availability of where the public dollars are going. Now, in some ways, and I remind them it’s a state issue, but you ask, what am I hearing from folks? Largely, it’s healthcare, largely it’s affordability, but there is a segment that education matters. Now, again, it’s state level, but the federal delegation plays a role in shaping the narrative and shaping the tone,” Jones added.

Expect Jones to hit Hill hard on accountability also. The Democratic candidate said Republicans in Congress not standing up to Trump is problematic.

“I think I’m a problem solver and Congress messed this up. Congress messed this up. They’re letting the White House, the President, run rampant and take all power and control. They’re not addressing the fact that kids are about to go hungry, so what are they doing? My job is fixing problems,” he said.

When asked how he would stand up to his party’s leadership when he disagrees, Jones did not cite a specific example, but he did say, “I will say under no uncertain terms, if the folks in the Second Congressional District feel one way and the national Democrats feel another way, my job would be to represent the folks in the Second Congressional district regardless of what the national party says.”

You can watch Jones’ full interview in the video below.