background-color: #f9d334; font-size: 0.9em; } 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. Finally, Jones was coming back to his native land. .hideResponses { display: none;} If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Tim Griffin. This is important because he's not seen as an outsider," said Najja Baptist, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Arkansas. margin-top: 1px; 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. background-color: #f9f9f9; Sarah is a leader of profound faith, powerful conviction, and true compassion. Browse the directory of real estate professionals at realtor.com. He also checks all the boxes that we dont say a Black man running for office needs to have but they absolutely do. 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. [I warned that] if we didn't make some decisions to solve the problem, then we could end up in a situation we can't reverse.". background-color: #003388; 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. "Our campaign is about lifting people up and building a fair . .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} IE 11 is not supported. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? June 21, 2021 9:56 am. During the 2012 season, he compiled 603 rushing yards . He was previously at BuzzFeed News and holds a degree in international relations from Michigan State University. By ANDREW DeMILLO April 2, 2022. .results_row td { But I've always known that I wanted to come back home. The costs of college - from tuition to building costs are growing unchecked. div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } width: 250px; Actor: Ryan's Daughter. 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. .results_table { 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. But at that moment, something in me opened up: a world of science, and sacrifice; service and exploration. max-width: 600px; ", "here for this. 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. 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. A son of two preachers, Chris was raised with a strong sense of faith. .widget-key { | La tabla con toque de surf es divertida en cualquier terreno y te da una . in nuclear engineering/technology and policy in 2003 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. padding-bottom: 0px; We began our campaign for Governor over 18 months ago in my hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 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. p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} District 14: Brian Eaton. He knew this was the job for him. Also, we have no information about his son and daughter. As governor, Chris Jones will guide the state through a responsible recovery that prioritizes health, childrens learning, and protection of the rights of local business owners. Arkansas has an aging population. color: #0645ad; District 9: Diana Gonzales Worthen. Political observers say Jones, who is Black, could ride a wave of recent years in which people of color and from historically disenfranchised groups with limited political experience are getting elected to higher office. How to vote | He's a nuclear physicist and priest and wants to be Arkansas' first Black governor. overflow-x: scroll; vertical-align: top; } We are one big neighborhood. District 15: Rachel Cox. https://twitter.com/JonesForAR/status/1525154140011352064. This file contains additional information such as Exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. } border:1px solid #FFB81F; $('.hideResponses').hide(); float:right; In middle school, Jones even wrote a book -- "The Day the Earth Died" -- "about what we were doing to the planet. background-color: #6db24f; 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. U.S. Congress | He also checks all the boxes that we dont say a Black man running for office needs to have but they absolutely do. That was a tough day for a kid in America. "He thinks he can help make Arkansas one of the nation's most successful states," Higgs says. If you know some information, please comment below. display: inline-block; font-size: .9em; What I learned was that being born without hearing in my left ear would prevent me from this career path. top: -5px; overflow-x: auto; (Jerrilyn, I must add, is almost as freakishly well-credentialed as her husband is shes an Air Force veteran and graduate of Harvard Medical School whos currently an ER doctor and serves as preparedness medical director at the Arkansas Department of Health. Even as an eighth-grader -- having been inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -- he wanted to attend King's alma mater, Morehouse. background-color: green; Arkansas needs a compassionate and empathetic leader that chooses faith, hope, and hard work over fear, hate, and cronyism. Nuclear engineer Chris Jones has won the Democratic primary for governor of Arkansas, the Associated Press projects. And we're just kind of waiting for the right time,'" Chris Jones remembers. Government should never be about running up bills and creating debt. } padding-bottom: 5px; Together, their careers sound like what an eager kindergartner would say when asked what she wants to be when she grows up.). He always wants to hear game-changing ideas that he can apply to Arkansas communities, transforming their gateways to education, STEM and workforce skills.". font-size: 2em; Chris Jones, the former head of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a nonprofit organization based in North Little Rock, announced his candidacy Tuesday. top: 0px; He got the job. The Promise to Bring People Together In Government. Fathers name is Not Available. Chris and Jerrilyn have spent some twenty years in harmony while conquering all the highs and lows. According to a local poll, Sanders currently holds an 11% lead against the Democrat. Jones, a former assistant dean for graduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he worked to double minority enrollment, said if elected, he would focus on rebuilding Arkansas' infrastructure, investing in health care and education, and extending access to broadband in rural areas. But I do appreciate the support", "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Endorses Chris Jones in Democratic Primary", "314 Action Fund Endorses Nuclear Engineer Chris Jones in AR-GOV Race", "Collective PAC Endorses Chris Jones for Governor", "Democracy for America Endorses Dr. Chris Jones for Governor of Arkansas", "Meet our six endorsed pro-life Democrats! Jones has been traveling to Arkansas' 75 counties . We go to church together, we eat BBQ together and we watch football together. Claiming he was "frustrated by leadership . The Promise for a Balanced Conversation on Gun Violence and Safety. 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. background: #4c4c4c; font-weight: bold; The six-month program calls for scholars to travel to the participating presidential centers and, through study and other activities, equip themselves to make positive impacts on their communities. His stance . To observe those delightful snaps of Jones family, you can follow his excursion on his Instagram account. If I am blessed to serve as Governor, my administration and I will bring people together and listen. The Promise for Arkansans Who Rent Their Homes. Black candidates have historically had a hard time winning statewide races, as Charles E. Jones and Judson Jeffries noted in their 2006 article on campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. She raises money with Mike Pompeo in Texas while Leslie Rutledge hangs out in Arkansas with Tracy Lawrence", "Awesome seeing a great friend and the future Governor of Arkansas, @SarahHuckabee Sanders, at the White House this past week! .inner_percentage.Republican { margin-top: 0px; width: 100% Only a third of Arkansas students read on-level by the end of third grade, creating lifelong learning challenges. width: 57%; .race_header.green { .votebox-results-metadata-p { Jones will face Sarah Huckabee Sanders . You will be a phenomenal Governor for the people's Republic of Arkansas! font-style: italic; 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. What was your very first job? Federal courts | Asa Hutchinson as leader of the state his family has lived in for eight generations now. Dr. Christopher M. Jones was the executive director and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring creatives, supporting makers, and . .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { .expand-all:hover, .collapse-all:hover {cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;} $('#candidate-connection-email-100992').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-email'); }); background-color: grey; margin-bottom: -2px !important; Dr. Chris Jones, physicist, nuclear engineer, urban planner, and pastor, has launched his campaign to become the next governor of Arkansas with a powerful ad. .votebox { After finishing her first year of residency, she was called up to two years of active duty at North Carolina's Pope Air Force Base; during that time, she was deployed to Afghanistan. Ill never forget where I came from or who got me here. }) padding-left: 8px; As Governor, Chris Jones will help establish standards that keep programs competitive, and Arkansans making good pay for skilled work. Hes running for the slot on the general ballot against Lt. Gov. } }. I'm running for governor to build opportunity for all of us. 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. .votebox_bp_logo { I, for one, am going to be keeping a very close eye on this race. color: white; My priorities will be education, infrastructure, economic development, healthcare and voting rights. Was a two-year starter for DeQueen High School, as well as a three-year member of the varsity track team .