Jones recently resigned as director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.
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 Tuesday.
“The last few years have shown how much political division can tear us apart. The reality of this moment in our nation’s history is that if we want our politics to be different, we have to be different,” Jones said. “Other candidates may try to divide us in this election, but I’m not running for governor to fight a culture war or to go on cable news. I’m here to bring Arkansans back together with a campaign that brings out our best.”
Jones grew up in Pine Bluff and most recently served as the director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. Jones holds five degrees: bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics from Morehouse College; master’s degrees in nuclear engineering and technology and policy, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and cannot seek reelection in 2022. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge are the two Republicans who have declared their candidacy.
In the Democratic primary, Jones will face Anthony Bland, James “Rus” Russell and Supha Xayprasith-Mays. Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. is also seeking the governorship.
The general election is Nov. 8, 2022.