I attended Morehouse College on a NASA Scholarship, for physics and math, then studied at MIT to become a nuclear engineer and earn a Ph.D. in urban planning. border-radius: 50%; Box 242046Little Rock, AR 72223-9998connect@chrisforgovernor.com, Paid for by the Committee to Elect Chris Jones, KATV Primary Election feature: Dr. Chris Jones, Democratic governor hopeful. .race_header.libertarian { Jones spent 15 years at MIT. Only a third of Arkansas students read on-level by the end of third grade, creating lifelong learning challenges. For Chris Jones, the second adjective is as big a challenge to overcome at this point in Arkansas history as the first. } 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. (function() { And he wanted to go to MIT because he was inspired by one of its earlier notable graduates: Dr. Ronald McNair, the Black astronaut who died in the 1986 space shuttle Challenger disaster. Part of Winrock International, the Innovation Hub promotes and encourages innovative ideas among, and creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, students and other makers with an aim toward expanding Arkansas' "economic ecosystem.". A 10-part drama based on the bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six lands on Prime Video on Friday and tells the story of a fictional 1970s group that disbanded at the . .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { She cruised to a landslide victory in the primary, and as Arkansas is a GOP stronghold, her victory virtually guaranteed she would win the general election, in which she defeated Jones by 28 points. .widget-row.Republican { } She applied for it. Chris Jones attended two of the most prestigious institutes of post-secondary education in the country, picking up multiple degrees at both of them: the historically Black Morehouse College, where he earned bachelor's degrees in physics and mathematics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned master's degrees in nuclear engineering and technology and policy before deciding to stick around and get a doctorate in urban studies and planning. As Governor, Chris Jones will help establish standards that keep programs competitive, and Arkansans making good pay for skilled work. Additionally, Jones holds a dual degree in atomic design and innovation and strategy from MIT; he also appears to be a Ph.D. in metropolitan preparation. .widget-row.Libertarian { We also need someone with the vision to see and seize opportunities that lie out of sight and around the corner, the determination to amplify and value all voices, especially the most marginalized, and the ancestral grit of an unapologetic Arkansan. Biography. James "Rus" Russell, a 48-year old small business owner from Little Rock, says he will seek the Democratic nomination for Arkansas Governor in 2022. } As Governor, Chris Jones will put family farms first and protect their interests. margin-right: 10px; Jones says one of the blessings of being in the MIT environment of dedication to problem-solving "is that now, wherever I go, one of my first questions is, 'Who else needs to be at the table?' We understand growing from your own soil. Arkansas: Who is Chris Jones, nominee for governor? float: right; margin: auto; Primary elections in Arkansas were held on May 24. "One is, we want to help build the infrastructure and the networking systems so that every kid in every corner of the state could be exposed to exciting and engaging science, technology, engineering, arts and math experiences.". } District 9: Diana Gonzales Worthen. Chris Jones believes that Arkansans should have a right to a basic standard of safe living standards. Jones has been traveling to Arkansas' 75 counties . Thats when my journey took off.After graduating from Watson Chapel High School Go Wildcats!! His last role was all about jobs and businesses and other respectable capitalist ventures, not something confusing like community organizer. And the issues he focuses on education, infrastructure, and living out our values are solidly middle of the road, not too progressive or too , well, Black for Arkansas voters. Hayes Brown is a writer and editor for MSNBC Daily, where he helps frame the news of the day for readers. width: 90%; Arkansans of all ages should have access to technical schools and workforce training scholarships. Once here, he continued to work for the consulting firm, traveling the country. display: block; Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. p.survey-response {white-space: pre-line;} I was absolutely floored by the videos genius use of his preachers stole to illustrate the passage of time, coupled with his explanation that as a physicist, I know that time is also relative and with the right application of energy, you can bend it. That transition into a timeline of his familys roots in the state and the emotions it conveyed were on point; the use of footage from Jan. 6 to illustrate the trauma that we lived through was also extremely well deployed. "She said, 'Well, funny you should say that because my husband is always wanting to go home. }. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. .infobox p { I believe there is much room for growth, including improving public education opportunities in every community, strengthening infrastructure from roads to broadband access, protecting and securing our right to vote, and bridging the rural and urban divide. Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Arkansas needs a compassionate and empathetic leader that chooses faith, hope, and hard work over fear, hate, and cronyism. The video has it all: Deep Arkansas; roots; hard work; family . background-color: #f9f9f9; But I've always known that I wanted to come back home. .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} Jones talked with 40/29's Yuna Lea about the . He attended Morehouse College on a NASA Scholarship, for physics and math . height: 50px; In addition, with the election of Leslie Rutledge as lieutenant governor, Arkansas, along with Massachusetts, became the first two U.S. states to have both a female governor and female lieutenant Governor serving at the same time. 100% remote. .top_disclaimer { In the Last Arkansas Governor election which was held in 2018, the Republican Asa Hutchinson won re-election to a second term, by winning 33 percentage points in all seven counties. .results_row { letter-spacing: .03em; width: 250px; The Promise to Boost Small Business in Arkansas. Chris Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. display: inline-block; Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Born William Franklin Jones amid rather impoverished surroundings to a grocery clerk in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1941, his artist mother had to be institutionalized when Chris was 4. Sarah is a leader of profound faith, powerful conviction, and true compassion. Building the Arkansas economy starts with good jobs for everyone that wants oneand Chris Jones plans to invest in businesses, infrastructure, and education programs to realize this goal. Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Arkansas on February 20, 2022. width: 150px; Because Jones loved science and wanted to do work that related to energy, he decided to major in physics in college. Actor: Ryan's Daughter. } Communities have been ignored, not uplifted. "The question is how much of an impact can a young Black candidate make in this election, even if they don't win?" We need to pay competitive salaries to support and attract the highly qualified teachers that parents and kids are asking for. I came back home and for three years I ran the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub where we used science and technology to build businesses and create jobs. "He is highly dedicated to the improvement of his community and has a unique ability to inspire that same dedication in others, myself included.". } As I sat with the video some more, it really dawned on me how incredible Jones resume is and what it says about Black candidates for statewide office. 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. Joness video went viral soon after it went up, drawing buzz to a race that wasnt lacking in national attention. Apply today! He's also running for Governor of Arkansas. Quick with a quip or colloquialism, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones counts everyone he meets as a potential constituent. 3831 E. Illini St Phoenix, AZ 85040. Ballot measures, Who represents me? left: 0px; color: white; James "Rus" Russell, a 48-year old small business owner from Little Rock, says he will seek the Democratic nomination for Arkansas Governor in 2022. 10 years later, I accepted a full NASA scholarship named for Challenger astronaut Ron McNair. District 1: Teresa L Roofe. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} "Jones is a native son. Christopher Jones was a brief cult star of the late '60s counterculture era and a would-be rebel successor to James Dean had he wanted it. 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. Sarah Huckabee Sanders defeated Doc Washburn in the Republican primary for Governor of Arkansas on May 24, 2022. .results_table_container { Listening. We also need someone with the vision to see and seize opportunities that lie out of sight, the determination to amplify and value all voices, especially the most marginalized, and the ancestral grit of an unapologetic Arkansan. .votebox { With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the Republican nomination, while Chris Jones won the Democratic nomination.[1]. .widget-row.heading { Claiming he was "frustrated by leadership" following the state's COVID-19 response and motivated by the social justice protests of last summer, Russell said he is "determined to help." That includes supporting modern agricultural technologies and sustainable solutions. IE 11 is not supported. } Sheawna is of black ethnicity and has curly black hair and brown eyes, which complements her beauty perfectly. Bio-Chem Exterminating. BCT Partners is a management consulting firm that helps organizations solve complex social issues. A son of two preachers, Chris was raised with a strong sense of faith. former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the story that they want to tell the voters, New Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor: Im willing to take the tough road so someone else can have a better life, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette put it in a profile of Jones, their 2006 article on campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, Arkansas governor defends veto of transgender bill, says it was overbroad, extreme, the first Black leader of the Arkansas Department of Labor. At the very least, Baptist said, this election may be a springboard to inspire a diverse group of people to run for office in a state that remains a conservative GOP stronghold. Our homes are at the center of our lives, theres almost nothing more important. Chris and Jerrilyn have spent some twenty years in harmony while conquering all the highs and lows. The best versions draw from both biography and policy, mixing them together into a personal narrative that the candidate implies will carry through into how they govern or legislate. Black candidates for governor or any statewide race are rare in Arkansas one ran for governor more than century ago and the state has also never had a female governor, which would make the outcome of the 2022 election historic, said Heather Yates, an assistant political science professor at the University of Central Arkansas. "Our campaign is about lifting people up and building a fair . Asa Hutchinson to the board of the Division of Science and Technology, Arkansas Economic Development Commission. To view Jones' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here. The Promise for Arkansans Who Rent Their Homes. Chris Jones, a physicist and ordained minister, announced his candidacy for Arkansas governor last week in a launch video that has since gone viral. The couple met at the Mattapan neighborhood church where Chris Jones had been leading Bible study. text-align: center; .widget-row { The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jones' responses. File:Chris Jones, Arkansas gubernatorial candidate (cropped).jpg; Metadata. .widget-row.value-only.black { Chris Jones went to work for BCT Partners, a management consulting firm, while Jerrilyn Jones took a job as an ER doctor. ", "Sarah Huckabee Sanders officially announces her candidacy for Arkansas Governor", "101 Arkansas Legislators Endorse Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Governor", "Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Running for governor everywhere but Arkansas", "Republicans fall in line behind Sarah | Steve Brawner", "I'm all in for you as Governor of Arkansas @SarahHuckabee you're a great lady & have always admired your father! District 14: Brian Eaton. width: 100%; background-color: #db0000; position: relative; Although he didn't become an astronaut he had the opportunity to work for one during his summer internships at NASA, working on a gas injection system for a rocket that would go to Mars. } "What I love about the Innovation Hub," Jones says, "is that I get the benefit of working with youth, of working with adults, working with entrepreneurs, working with engineers, working with makers, [and also] focusing on the broader-systems change that needs to happen.". We solve our problems by bringing people together, to find what works, to move us all forward. .votebox-results-metadata-p { } State executives | } margin-bottom:16px; .race_header { margin-bottom: -2px !important; overflow-y: hidden; Pastor, scientist, and political novice Chris Jones says he can rebuild Bill Clinton's coalition to become Arkansas governor. Source. } Jerrilyn is a Harvard Medical School alumnus and an Air Force veteran serving as an ER specialist and clinical chief of preparedness at the Arkansas Department of Health. display: block; vertical-align: top; } } Latest on Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones including biography, career, awards and more on ESPN padding:7px 8px 8px; 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. After graduating in 1999, it was on to MIT. #weARone #FaithInAR pic.twitter.com/XR0WyLOJwx. He got the job. line-height: 1.5em; Here's a gubernatorial candidate appearing in Arkansas. As I learned in his campaigns announcement video, he is an actual nuclear physicist and an ordained minister as of 2017. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? On Nov. 9, Chris Jones released a statement following his loss against Governor-Elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Government should never be about running up bills and creating debt. One day, one of her colleagues asked her if she would ever consider moving to Arkansas. position: relative; Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. As an engineer, minister, and former non-profit leader, with deep roots in Arkansas, Chris Jones has the experience to lead, passion to enact change, and work ethic to work for every Arkansan. Just as we visited all 75 counties of the state to identify what matters most to Arkansans, we are committed to changing what it means to govern by listening and learning, by leading inclusively in a way that doesnt prioritize whether you have D, R or I next to your name, and sharing our vision for Arkansas to reach its potential and promise. .votebox_legend { color: #888; LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Then came the day, Jones recalls, the Dudley Street executive director told Jones he planned to run for mayor and wanted Jones to take his place heading the organization. letter-spacing: 0.03em; } Because his parents couldn't afford the education he envisaged, Jones knew he would have to leave it to God. District 10: Kate Schaffer. , See also:Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2022. A son of two preachers, I was also raised with a strong sense of faith. .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} After becoming ordained as a minister, I returned home to Arkansas with my wife, an emergency room physician, and our three daughters, and led the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. background-color: grey; max-width: 75px; .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { .votebox-results-cell--check { The couple led a busy life -- she resuming her residency; he working at MIT and beginning his doctorate; they starting their family with Jordyn's birth in 2009. People who aren't impressed by pictures of a Black Hole clearly don't understand the gravity of the situation. margin-bottom: 0; Arkansas farmers are the backbone of this state and define who we are and what we stand for. } Claiming he was "frustrated by leadership . The Promise of Arkansas. Chris Jones said part of his dream to go to Morehouse and MIT was to bring that knowledge back home to Arkansas. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios. The Promise to Bring People Together In Government. Arkansas's near abortion ban remains blocked by courts, and leading democratic candidate Chris Jones is aware that this is an issue he could inherit if he gets the governor's job. } If I'm serious about solving the problem, then I need to have the stakeholders at the table.". background-color: grey; Linda Work of Pine Bluff, a retired teacher who taught Jones' civics and gifted and talented classes at Watson Chapel, describes her former student as "respectful, loyal, with a high moral character [and] who will listen to you. height: 100%; For more information, or to interview Dr. Chris Jones, please contact Clint Schaff, campaign communications director, at media@chrisforgovernor.com. background-color: #6db24f; A vibrant Main Street can make or break the soul and spirit of any town. I love the people in this state. Arkansas Democrat Chris Jones is a nuclear engineer, a Ph.D. in urban planning, and an ordained minister. There were no incumbents in this race. (Jones' brother, Leon Jones Jr., announced in April he is running for the GOP nomination to replace Rutledge.). background-color: #ccc; } padding-top: 8px; Our mission is to accelerate equity through our subject matter expertise on DEI, precision analytics, health equity, children and families, education, and economic and workforce development. You will be a phenomenal Governor for the people's Republic of Arkansas! Also, we have no idea about his brother and sister, and we dont know their names either. Clint Schaff, Communications DirectorPhone Number: (424) 209-5602Email Address: cschaff@chrisforgovernor.com, P.O. Box 242046Little Rock, AR 72223-9998, Paid for by the Committee to Elect Chris Jones. margin: 0; if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { The race to replace Arkansas Gov. display: block; background-color: #6db24f; When Chris Jones launched his campaign to become the next Governor of Arkansas last June, the video that he used to introduce himself to voters quickly went viral. p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} I knew then that I wanted to be an astronaut. font-size: .9em; IE 11 is not supported. The essential political race is next Tuesday, May 24, the essential landing is on June 21, and the general political race is on November 8, 2022. "So I called [Jordan] up, and I said, 'Hey do you think it's worth me dropping my name in the hat?'". Through this work, I spread STEAM education throughout the state and has seen firsthand how disparities within Arkansas have gotten worse, not better. We need a governor that uplifts and supports this industry so that Arkansas stays competitive. padding-bottom: 3px; June 21, 2021 9:56 am. top: -5px; AMP.
float:right; Arkansas has an aging population. } Jones, a 44-year-old physicist, minister . We need elected officials that are in office because they want to govern not tear down government and decrease opportunities for those in need. But as I sat with the video some more, it really dawned on me how incredible Jones resume is and what it says about Black candidates for statewide office. And it will also translate into my ability to listen to Arkansans, to hear what they need, and to ensure that the people most affected by the decisions are the ones at the table making the decisions. Nuclear engineer and ordained minister Chris Jones was selected Tuesday by voters . PINE BLUFF, Ark. Jerrilyn and Chris Jones. } font-size: 12px; The Promise of Arkansas is the Faith that together we can address our challenges. } max-width: 600px; Government not about running up bills and creating debt. In the two-and-a-half-minute clip, Jones touts his family's eight generations in Arkansas, his Morehouse and MIT education in nuclear . var nTimer = setInterval(function() { Former President Donald Trump has already endorsed his former staffer, who also has the benefit of being the daughter of former Gov. } Dr. C. Fred Higgs III of Houston, a friend and vice provost at Rice University, is touched by Jones' belief that native sons must return to their home states to initiate massive impact. We want this state to be a state where people feel welcome and want to live. A year and a half later, he met the woman who would become his wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, a graduate of Harvard Medical School. Inspired by its namesake Winthrop Rockefeller, Winrock's mission is to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural . Chris is an Arkansas native whose predecessors, seven centuries, lived there for a very long time. ", "Thank you to my friend @SeanHannity for your support! ", His first campaign video is entitled, "About Time.". Candidates who have filed for office as of March 1, 2022. He's a physicist and also a minister and sees no conflict between science and faith. overflow-x: auto; Meanwhile, two Republicans have also declared: Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is the daughter of former Gov. .election_results_text { The 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Arkansas.Incumbent Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third term. Each of these matters for what happens in the state and what policies can be implemented to help peoples lives. @SarahHuckabee is one of the kindest & most caring people. Tim Griffin. How to run for office | }, 100); Dr. Chris Jones grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Chris Jones earned a B.S. .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;} Chris Jones, 44, is announcing his run as a Democrat for the 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race. We cant say their name. He was leading a nonprofit, the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, which as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette put it in a profile of Jones promotes and encourages innovative ideas among, and creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, students and other makers in the state until he resigned to run for governor. However, Jones remains hopeful and believes he still has a shot at becoming the state's first . Asa Hutchinson, who is unable to again run for re-election due to term limits. Home never left.". "I've been deeply rooted in Arkansas," he says. By ANDREW DeMILLO April 2, 2022. Public policy. Although he'd been determined since childhood to attend Morehouse and MIT, Jones was equally as determined to return to his beloved home state. .results_row td:first-child { We are committed to changing what it means to campaign in Arkansas, by listening and learning from all communities, by building an enduring and resilient grassroots campaign, and by sharing our vision that Arkansas can realize its potential and reach its promise through Faith, Hope & Hard Work. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power? I was inspired by selflessness, courage, hope, and I was inspired by discovery. Arkansas PBS. Early polling and name recognition have given Sanders an edge, and Trump quickly endorsed her in January through his political action committee. 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. Sanders became the first female Governor of Arkansas, as well as the first daughter of a former governor to take office in United States history. .race_footer { Jan 2011 - Present12 years 2 months. HIGH PROFILE: Dr. Christopher Michael Jones brings knowledge back to Arkansas. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. [2], .votebox { Budgets are moral documents and show where your priorities are. Dynamic Duos 2022: Drs. Chris Jones said part of his dream to go to Morehouse and MIT was to bring that knowledge back home to Arkansas. But the event I remember first I still remember the 3rd grade in Mrs. Watsons class when we learned about space. The Promise to Protect Teacher Pay, Resources, and Retirement. In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. $('.collapse').collapse('hide'); The governor has three main responsibilities: the budget, making executive and judicial appointments, and promoting the state. Hes running for the slot on the general ballot against Lt. Gov. How long did you have it? Meanwhile, his wife completed her training and the couple eventually moved to Maryland. overflow: hidden; I remember watching the Challenger lift off on our classroom TV. .widget-row.Democratic { Leading up to the Republican Primary, Sanders received many endorsements from key Republican figures, including Donald Trump, Mike Pence, incumbent Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas' entire U.S. Congressional delegation, and dozens of GOP representatives from the State House and State Senate. font-size: 2em; } 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. The Queen's House (1616-19) at Greenwich, London, his first major work, became a part of the National Maritime Museum in 1937. Upon her return, she was stationed in Boston. His parents, Beverly and Leon Jones Sr., are ministers -- as well as an educator and insurance sales representative, respectively -- so he enjoyed the benefits of blood and church family. padding-bottom: 5px; } div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } $('.hideResponses').hide(); Theres no room for red tape or cutting corners when it comes to your health. a.communitylink { color:black; font-weight:bold; } display: inline-block; Click here for Noteworthy Press Coverage. A political novice he once served as student body president at Morehouse College, a historically Black university in Atlanta Jones, 44, said he was turned off by the political divisions of the past few years. Asa Hutchinson, who cannot run again because of term limits, is gaining another candidate a nuclear engineer who says he's running as a Democrat to offer voters another alternative to the Trump brand of politics.