We want this state to be a state where people feel welcome and want to live. 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. padding-left: 16px; Only a third of Arkansas students read on-level by the end of third grade, creating lifelong learning challenges. Source. 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. Jones would be required to do research at NASA during the summer. Arkansas has the worst laws for renters in the nation. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. overflow-y: hidden; One of six siblings (including two half-siblings), Jones was born and reared in Pine Bluff. [3],

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. Much love to you and your family! border-bottom: 1px solid grey; $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { Arkansas: Who is Chris Jones, nominee for governor? In addition to marrying all his degrees in one role, Jones has managed to marry his science with his faith and his considerable accomplishments with humility. Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders, daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, defeated Democrat Chris Jones to become the first woman ever elected to the office, and was . Chris Braithwaite, aka "Chris Jones" (c. 1885-1944), Barbadian-born sailor and London unionist. 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?' font-size: 12px; 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. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Chris has faith in Arkansas's potential, and. .inner_percentage.Republican { "We're an agricultural state; we understand growing from your own soil. But heres one more twist that makes Arkansas election one to watch over the next few months: Jones isnt the only member of his family seeking high-profile statewide office. The Promise to Boost Small Business in Arkansas. 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. Jones announced he was running for governor Tuesday in an impressive 2 minute, 37 second campaign commercial. Together, their careers sound like what an eager kindergartner would say when asked what she wants to be when she grows up.). } height: 56px; This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. } font-weight: bold; The Promise for Arkansans Who Rent Their Homes. I, for one, am going to be keeping a very close eye on this race. width: 100%; Chris Jones is here to prove that politics does not have to be divisive and destructive, and that as a candidate he can call for accountability while uniting Arkansas.

   .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} Because his parents couldn't afford the education he envisaged, Jones knew he would have to leave it to God. After watching the Challenger explosion, I decided I wanted to be an astronaut. 	} 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. We understand growing from your own soil. We have no more Information about his Father; we will try to collect information and update soon. 		background-color: #db0000;        .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}   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. .widget-value { The 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Arkansas. 	.results_row td:first-child { .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} Chris Jones  defeated Anthony Bland, Jay Martin, James Russell, and Supha Xayprasith-Mays in the  Democratic primary for Governor of Arkansas on May 24, 2022. Chris Jones Wikipedia: A Political Newcomer Chris Jones is a nuclear designer running for governor of Arkansas. 	display: inline-block;  	}  	} 02:12, 23 July 2022: 935  1,320 (180 KB) Putitonamap98 (talk | contribs) File:Chris Jones, Arkansas gubernatorial candidate.jpg cropped 67 % horizontally, 69 % vertically using CropTool with lossless mode. Chris and his wife, Sheawna, married on New Year's Day, 2014. Candidates like Jones could ride a recent wave of people of color with limited political experience running for and getting elected to higher office. 		margin: 0px 10px; 	} But if Jones wins the primary, it will be an uphill climb for him in a state dominated by Republicans. Arkansas can do more to build resources for mental healthcare in our state, and to attract mental health professionals to underserved communities throughout the state. His greatest achievement is the Banqueting House (1619-22) at Whitehall.  				overflow-y: auto; He got the job. As Governor, Chris Jones will put family farms first and protect their interests. We all have the potential to claim the power of our vote. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright  2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This faith has never collided with my love for science  in fact, it only made it grow stronger.    @media (max-width:600px) { }) } 	.image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper { 	display: inline-block; The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jones' responses. Democrat-Gazette. (AP)  Chris Jones would seem to have an ideal biography to run for governor, a job that's wide open in Arkansas for the first time in eight years.  Chris Jones makes a point in his conversation with Axios. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? HIGH PROFILE: Dr. Christopher Michael Jones brings knowledge back to Arkansas. The Estimated Net worth is $80K  USD $85k.  BCT Partners is a management consulting firm that helps organizations solve complex social issues. Home never left.". 		font-weight: 200; 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. Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders, daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, defeated Democrat Chris Jones to become the first woman ever elected to the office, and was sworn in on January 10, 2023. 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. His brother, Leon Jones Jr., is running for attorney general in 2022  as a Republican. 		height: 100%; What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? And he gets to do so beyond his day-job boundaries. 		z-index:1; This is the campaign thats going to flip the script and give people a reason to turn out to the polls. "I've been deeply rooted in Arkansas," he says. 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." 		padding-left: 0; That was a tough day for a kid in America. $('.showResponses').show(); 	width: 43%; June 21, 2021 9:56 am. Box 242046Little Rock, AR 72223-9998, Paid for by the Committee to Elect Chris Jones. 	width: 150px; Her birth date and birthplace details are currently unknown. He lived his childhood in Pine Bluff watching his parents do penance to create a superior life, so he accepts Arkansass merits more in comparison to division and strife. Cities | Unless I can convince policymakers to do something different, then I can have all the solutions in the world and it won't matter." 		line-height: 1.5em; .widget-row.Green { After earning his master's degrees in 2003, he taught ninth-grade algebra at the Media and Technology Charter High School (the MATCH school) for the 2003-2004 school year before returning to the institute as assistant dean for graduate education. The Promise of Arkansas is the Faith that together we can address our challenges. 	vertical-align: top;  We go to church together, we eat BBQ together and we watch football together. 		font-weight: bold; Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. ", "Congratulations to my dear friend and sister in Christ, @SarahHuckabee . In March, Jones was appointed by Gov. Another thing Jones credits his parents for: exposing him to horizon-broadening experiences. 	} Political candidates, especially first-timers, are encouraged to figure out the story that they want to tell the voters. 		margin-bottom:16px; 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. 				max-height: 580px; Suitably high goals for someone who was a true renaissance man even during his days at Watson Chapel High School, where he excelled academically, played quarterback on the football team, ran the 400 in track, acted in school plays and sang in the choir. There were no incumbents in this race. No residential community should be made to suffer unintended or hidden impacts of potentially hazardous industry in their backyards. 		font-size: 12px; 	font-weight: bold; His wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, and their daughters are featured prominently in the ad  no single, promiscuous African Americans here, just a wholesome upper middle-class family. John Brummet. 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. My priorities will be education, infrastructure,  economic development, healthcare and voting rights. $('#candidate-connection-twitter-100992').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); 		display: inline-block; 		font-size: 12px; He's also running for Governor of Arkansas. background-color: white; If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power? Chris Jones launches gubernatorial campaign. She is a strong, wise, and talented leader who will put the people of Arkansas first", "Sarah Sanders snaps up Arkansas endorsements from governor, congressional delegation", "America is all in for @SarahHuckabee  a great patriot, leader, and a friend! 		background-color: grey; in physics and mathematics from Morehouse College in 1999, . Jones, a nuclear engineer and political newcomer, enter Arkansas governor's race. 	font-weight: bold; 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. Asa Hutchinson to the board of the Division of Science and Technology, Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Chris Jones said part of his dream to go to Morehouse and MIT was to bring that knowledge back home to Arkansas. 	.inner_percentage.Green { a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } I became a physicist and an ordained minister. 		color:white; 		font-size: 0.9em; 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. For any specific requests, please contact media@chrisforgovernor.com. On Nov. 9, Chris Jones released a statement following his loss against Governor-Elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But then I saw a video pass across my Twitter timeline. 		width: 35px !important; if (typeof $  !=  'undefined') { The costs of college - from tuition to building costs  are growing unchecked. 	color: white; Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. 	} "You can't make that up, man. 		background-color: #003388; 	margin: auto; 	} $('.pastResponses').hide(); For us, that means  the Arkansas Maker Task Force" -- the utilization of local makers to get personal protective equipment (PPE) to Arkansas health-care workers, first responders and others at modest prices.  It's not going to be me. Ill never forget where I came from or who got me here. 	.results_table {  		background-color: #f9d334; The Promise to Boost Small Business in Arkansas, Chris Jones will invest in building stronger infrastructure for financially stable businesses, cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, and supporting entrepreneurship  especially for homegrown Arkansas businesses. 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. 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. 		border: 1px solid #999; Sheawna is of black ethnicity and has curly black hair and brown eyes, which complements her beauty perfectly. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Jones has been traveling to Arkansas' 75 counties . 	.results_row { [1] Jones' career experience includes working as a physicist, minister, and a non-profit leader.  	.outer_percentage { Government should never be about running up bills and creating debt. } He also checks all the boxes that we dont say a Black man running for office needs to have  but they absolutely do. How to run for office | Sarah is a leader of profound faith, powerful conviction, and true compassion. 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. Now, hes fostering entrepreneurs with the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. Apply today! Since that article was published, weve seen a slight uptick in Black candidates to win those races, including Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who  like Jones  hadnt previously held elected office. We need to pay competitive salaries to support and attract the highly qualified teachers that parents and kids are asking for. 	color: white; Incumbent Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third term. $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { Here's a gubernatorial candidate appearing in Arkansas. After some prayer and discussion with his wife, Jones took the Dudley Street job, working there from 2013-2015 and managing an annual budget of $3.4 million for the organization. 		vertical-align: top; he said. 	} The following candidates ran in the  general election for Governor of Arkansas on November 8, 2022. Theres no room for red tape or cutting corners when it comes to your health. 	.votebox-covid-disclaimer { @SarahHuckabee is one of the kindest & most caring people. Democratic nominee Chris Jones told KUAR News Monday he is traveling the state to talk to voters as a "last push to remind folks of what is at stake.". 		background-color: #6db24f; Also, we have no information about his son and daughter. Jones is overly educated, far beyond the average white candidate. Chris Jones is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Arkansas from Pine Bluff, AR. } Nuclear engineer Chris Jones has won the Democratic primary for governor of Arkansas, the Associated Press projects.         .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;} 		font-size: 2em; We have the professionals you need. "Our campaign is about lifting people up and building a fair . ", "Breaking: Kid Rock backs Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor", "Sarah Sanders, former Trump press secretary, runs for Arkansas governor", "2022 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election", "Meet a candidate for attorney general; with a brother in the wings on the other side", "Chris Jones, a nuclear engineer and political newcomer, enters Arkansas governor's race", "Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022", "Political newcomer James Russell to seek Democratic nomination for Governor in 2022", "Supha Xayprasith-Mays announces run for Arkansas governor in 2022", "A pro-life Democrat enters the governor's race", "Arkansas mother, foster care advocate announces run for lieutenant governor", "This is some excellent company, Kim, and I appreciate itbut it won't be me", "Thank you Kim! Now, his relationship is perfect. 	padding-left: 10px; He received a full ride to Morehouse -- a National Aeronautics and Space Administration scholarship. His resume reveals a slew of leadership positions, publications, honors and other accomplishments that would make some more famous than he feel like slackers. We need a governor that uplifts and supports this industry so that Arkansas stays competitive.