Chris Jones

Chris Jones is the Democratic nominee for Arkansas's 2nd Congressional District. A physicist and ordained minister who grew up in Pine Bluff, he led the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub before becoming the 2022 Democratic nominee for governor, a race he lost to Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He is running on lowering costs, healthcare access, economic opportunity and voting rights.[1][2][3]

Jones was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of two preachers, and graduated from Watson Chapel High School.[1][2] He earned a B.S. in physics and mathematics from Morehouse College in 1999, which he says he attended on a full NASA scholarship, an M.S. in nuclear engineering/technology and policy from MIT in 2003, and a Ph.D. in urban planning from MIT in 2016.[1] His career includes work as a nuclear engineer, physicist, minister and nonprofit leader, and he describes himself as an ordained minister.[1] He says he returned to Arkansas to serve as executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, which he led for three years, working on entrepreneurship, STEAM education and workforce training.[1][2]

Jones won the May 24, 2022 Democratic primary for Arkansas governor over four opponents, then lost the general election to Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders, 63% to 35%.[1][3] He announced his campaign for the 2nd District on October 9, 2025, and won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary over Zack Huffman.[1][3] Jones says he is married to a combat veteran and is the father of three girls.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.