New Polling shows Democrats Lead By Five Points in State’s Most Competitive District
LITTLE ROCK – Today, Marcus Jones, retired Army Colonel and Democratic nominee for Congress in Arkansas’s Second District, announced the launch of his “Battle-Tested Leadership Tour.” Over the coming weeks, Jones will crisscross the Second District, meeting with Veterans, business and faith leaders, students, and community members. The tour will continue until Sunday, October 13, concluding with a large weekend-of-action across the district.
Along the tour, Jones will announce key policy positions, start general election expenditures, and highlight Rep. French Hill’s extreme record and agenda.
“After a decade of the same guy, Central Arkansas families are ready for fresh, effective leadership,” said Ret. Colonel Marcus Jones. “I served in the United States Army for three decades, often on years-long assignments in dangerous environments. As a field artillery officer and strategic planner for NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War, I know how to deliver, lead, and serve.”
Recent polling from Talk Business & Politics shows a rare lead for Democrats in Arkansas’s Second District, the state’s most competitive district. Additionally, the poll showed Vice President Harris leading former President Donald Trump by 5% in the District, with wide margins siding with Democratic and moderate candidates. Jones’s campaign has capitalized on the polling news with expanding volunteer onboarding and the most successful fundraising quarter to date.
“Over the Summer our campaign launched the largest ever field campaign in the history of the Second District. We set an ambitious goal of knocking on 10,000 doors before Election Day. And we expected to hit that goal along our Battle-tested Leadership Tour,” said Megan Jackson, the campaign manager. “We have the cash on hand resources to run an effective, targeted paid media campaign to the voters who will decide this election.”
The campaign will begin the tour in Faulkner County with meetings with local leaders & Voter Registration on the Hendrix College campus. Wednesday, the campaign will go to White County, visiting leaders at Harding University and doing a meet-and-greet at Midnight Oil.
The Arkansas PBS Debate for the Second District will be held on Monday, Oct. 7. The campaign will continue to send additional media advisories as more tour stops are added along with press releases recapping the day’s events.
ABOUT THE BATTLE-TESTED LEADERSHIP TOUR
The “Battle-Tested Leadership Tour” is a dynamic and comprehensive effort to bring Marcus Jones’s proven leadership to the forefront of Arkansas’s Second District. Through town halls, policy announcements, and grassroots engagement, the tour will emphasize Jones’s readiness to lead on key issues like economic growth, healthcare, and veterans’ affairs. From meeting with students and business leaders to rallying volunteers across all target precincts, the Battle-Tested Leadership tour will energize Central Arkansas voters and deliver a fresh, results-driven approach to leadership. Jones’s military experience and dedication to service will guide his vision for the district, ensuring that every community is heard and represented.
ABOUT MARCUS JONES
Marcus Jones, Army Colonel (Retired) completed 29 years of active military service on September 30, 2023. Jones retired before completing his 30th year in the Army, so he could continue his public service by running for U.S. Congress in Arkansas’s Second District. Jones is challenging a 10-year incumbent in the state’s most competitive district, which has routinely been identified by the DCCC as “Red to Blue” and hosts two large military bases.
Jones holds Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies (U.S. Army War College) and Management and Leadership (Webster University). He managed Top Secret strategic responses to North Korean provocations and targeting to eliminate extremist terrorist groups in Iraq. Jones also supervised the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) largest military exercise since the Cold War. He is trained in Collateral Damage Estimation, Target Mensuration, Basic and Advanced Target Development, and is an expert in Advanced Weaponry and Field Artillery. Watch his recent Capitol View interview on his race and the recent military conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine >>.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 Campaign Stars), the Meritorious Unit Citation (2 OLC), the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.
Jones’ earliest supporters include former Democratic Governor Mike Beebe, Senators Clarke Tucker and Joyce Elliott, and the last Democrat to hold the congressional seat, Vic Synder, a decorated Vietnam Veteran.
Marcus and his wife Carrie Jones, formerly Carrrie Hunton, reside in Little Rock and are the proud parents of two young adults, Will and Abby Grace. Jones is an average golfer, a below average guitar player, a proud University of Arkansas alumnus, and dedicated fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
