Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill, seeking a seventh term, is emphasizing his record of service and business experience in his bid to retain the seat representing Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District. His Democratic challenger, Chris Jones, is pushing back with a campaign focused on accessibility, affordability, and a change in leadership.
The race has attracted national attention, with both parties rallying behind their candidates. As a Democrat seeking to make history as Arkansas’ first Black member of Congress, Jones has garnered endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as well as financial support from political action committees tied to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Meanwhile, Rep. Hill has received backing from key Republicans, such as U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, and funding from cryptocurrency-focused super PACs.
The 2nd Congressional District encompasses all or parts of eight counties, including parts of Little Rock, where both candidates reside. The district, redrawn in a 2021 Republican-led redistricting effort, is considered a stronghold for the GOP. Hill, first elected in 2014, won reelection in 2022 with 59% of the vote. However, recent Democratic efforts to challenge incumbents in the district, including the high-profile campaigns of state legislators in prior years, have caught national attention. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed the race on its “Red to Blue” list, signaling its belief in the race’s competitiveness.
Healthcare and affordability have emerged as focal points in the campaign. Jones has criticized the effects of federal policies, such as cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance under legislation supported by Hill, which he says disproportionately harm low-income Arkansans. He has also highlighted the recently closed emergency room at Jacksonville’s Unity Health as an example of broader systemic failures, arguing that elected officials must work to replace lost services and increase access to primary care.
Hill, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, has pointed to his efforts to address housing affordability through bipartisan legislation like the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bill, signed into law last year, aims to improve access to affordable housing by easing regulatory burdens and increasing investment in housing projects. Hill also emphasized his commitment to improving Medicaid reimbursement rates, calling them "repugnant" and a barrier to adequate healthcare services in Arkansas.
Accountability has been another point of contention between the candidates. Jones criticized Hill for not voting to end what he described as the "war in Iran," asserting that Arkansans are frustrated by its financial and human toll. Hill countered by saying he opposed poorly drafted amendments but supports a strategic approach to addressing threats in the Middle East.
In addition to policy differences, the candidates have also sparred over campaign conduct. The Arkansas Republican Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Jones missed a financial disclosure deadline. Jones acknowledged the missed deadline, citing personal circumstances, and said he planned to pay the associated fine. He characterized the complaint as a "fear-based" political tactic.
Jones has framed his campaign as a response to voter frustration with the status quo, emphasizing the potential for positive change. Speaking to supporters in Conway last month, Jones pledged to remain accessible to constituents, even if elected to office in Washington. "It is not French Hill’s seat — it’s your seat," Jones said. "Every two years you get to choose who you want to be in that seat."
Hill, in turn, has leaned on his record of service, citing years of experience in banking and business, which he says have shaped his legislative priorities. "I’ve tried to take all those economic lessons and management lessons and deliver for the people in central Arkansas on concrete, practical things to help make this a better place," Hill said.
Polling from earlier this year showed a competitive race, with Jones holding a slim lead within the margin of error. However, political forecasters generally rate the district as leaning or solidly Republican.
The election is set for November, with both candidates vying to highlight their vision for Arkansas’ 2nd District in the final weeks of the campaign.