View source for Biography:Chris Jones (Arkansas politician)

{{Short description|American politician (born 1976)}}
{{Infobox politician 
|name        = Chris Jones
| image      = File:Chris Jones, Arkansas gubernatorial candidate.jpg
|birth_name  = Christopher Michael Jones
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1976|10|13}}
|birth_place = Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
|death_date  = 
|death_place = 
|party       = Democratic
|spouse      = Jerrilyn Jones (2002–present)
|education   = [[Organization:Morehouse College|Morehouse College]] (BS)<br>[[Organization:Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MS, [[Social:Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
|website     = {{url|ChrisForGovernor.com|Campaign website}}
}}
'''Christopher Michael Jones''' is an American politician who was the Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Arkansas in the 2022 election.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-24 |title=Chris Jones wins Democratic primary for Arkansas governor, facing Trump's press secretary |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/chris-jones-wins-democratic-primary-for-arkansas-governor-facing-trumps-press-secretary |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref>  Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Jones (Arkansas) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Jones_(Arkansas) |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> he attended [[Organization:Morehouse College|Morehouse College]] and graduate school at the [[Organization:Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]. He previously worked at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, from which he resigned in April 2021. On June 15, 2021, Jones announced that he was entering the Democratic [[Social:Primary election|primary]] for Governor of Arkansas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=TVH11 Digital |date=2021-06-15 |title=Chris Jones announces run for Arkansas governor in 2022 |work=THV11 |url=https://www.thv11.com/article/news/politics/chris-jones-announces-run-for-arkansas-governor-2022/91-2ddc1ddb-71c5-4571-a49f-1f3ccea5fe4e |access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> He won the primary but lost the general election to Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

== Early life ==

Chris Jones was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on October 13, 1976, where he "rode dirt bikes and fought grasshoppers".<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=2013-12-12 |title=New DSNI leader brings grassroots zeal to job {{!}} Dorchester Reporter |url=https://www.dotnews.com/2013/new-dsni-leader-brings-grassroots-zeal-job |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=www.dotnews.com |language=en}}</ref> He is a 7th generation Arkansan, and his family arrived in Arkansas before it was designated a territory in 1819.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff|date=2021-06-15 |title=Chris Jones to seek Democratic nomination for governor |url=https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/chris-jones-to-seek-democratic-nomination-for-governor/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Talk Business & Politics |language=en-US}}</ref> Both of his parents are preachers, his father is also an insurance sales representative and his mother is also a retired teacher.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-09-06 |title=HIGH PROFILE: Dr. Christopher Michael Jones brings knowledge back to Arkansas |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/sep/06/dr-christopher-michael-jones/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Arkansas Online |language=en}}</ref>  

Jones was inspired by the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|''Challenger'' space launch]] to become an [[Astronaut|astronaut]]. However, he was ineligible because he cannot hear out of his left ear. Jones met Bill Clinton when Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, which interested Jones in politics.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jason |date=2021-07-26 |title=Can Democrat Chris Jones Beat a Huckabee—and History—to Win in Arkansas? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/07/arkansas-governor-race-sarah-huckabee-sanders-chris-jones.html |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}</ref> 

Jones attended Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated in 1995 at the top of his class.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=wbrown |title=Little Rock native Chris Jones resigns from Arkansas Innovation Hub amid speculation of plans to run for governor – Black Consumer News |url=https://blackconsumernews.com/little-rock-native-chris-jones-resigns-from-arkansas-innovation-hub-amid-speculation-of-plans-to-run-for-governor/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Jones also ran track (400 m), played football (quarterback), sang in choir, and participated in theater.<ref name=":1" />

== Education ==
Jones attended [[Organization:Morehouse College|Morehouse College]] on a [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] scholarship, which Jones credits as the only way he could have attended the college since his parents could not afford it.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adedoyin |first=Oyin |date=2021-06-28 |title=He Wants More Academics to Get Involved in Their Communities. So He's Running for Governor. |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/he-wants-more-academics-to-get-involved-in-their-communities-so-hes-running-for-governor?cid=gen_sign_in |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=The Chronicle of Higher Education}}</ref> He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelors of Science in Physics. He interned at NASA each summer.<ref name=":18" /> Jones was the student body president at Morehouse College.

Jones attended the [[Organization:Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT) as a graduate student in [[Engineering:Nuclear engineering|Nuclear Engineering]]. He graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Science in Nuclear Engineering and a Masters of Science in Technology and Policy. His thesis was titled, "Nonproliferation issues in the nuclear energy future."<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Nonproliferation issues in the nuclear energy future |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/17043 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |date=2003 |degree=Thesis |first=Christopher Michael |last=Jones|hdl=1721.1/17043 }}</ref>  Later, Jones enrolled in a doctoral program in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and graduated in 2016 with a [[Social:Doctor of Philosophy|Doctor of Philosophy]] in [[Engineering:Urban planning|Urban Planning]]. As a student, Jones was the co-chair of the Black Graduate Student Association.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Former MIT grad student chosen as graduate dean |url=https://news.mit.edu/2004/jones-1020 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=MIT News {{!}} Massachusetts Institute of Technology |language=en}}</ref> His dissertation researched the social, political, and economic impacts of development using the Tennessee Valley Authority as a test case; it was called "Power for the public good: energy, race and class in the United States."<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Power for the public good : energy, race and class in the United States |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/103261 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |date=2016 |degree=Thesis |first=Christopher Michael |last=Jones|hdl=1721.1/103261 }}</ref> 

Jones's choices of Morehouse College and MIT were inspired respectively by [[Biography:Martin Luther King Jr.|Martin Luther King Jr]]. and [[Biography:Ronald McNair|Ronald McNair]].<ref name=":1" />

== Career ==
Jones taught [[Algebra|algebra]] for one year at a Boston public school.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Winrock International - Dr. Chris Jones to Lead Winrock's Innovation Hub |url=https://winrock.org/dr-christopher-m-jones-to-lead-winrocks-innovation-hub/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=winrock.org |language=en-US}}</ref> His research included an 18-month study on the future of nuclear power, plasma fusion, nuclear nonproliferation, and large-scale energy infrastructure systems.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=staff |date=2018-03-07 |title=Nuclear engineer, Pine Bluff native tapped to lead Innovation Hub |url=https://talkbusiness.net/2018/03/nuclear-engineer-pine-bluff-native-tapped-to-lead-innovation-hub/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Talk Business & Politics |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

On September 20, 2004, Jones became the Assistant Dean for Graduate Students at MIT.<ref name=":3" /> During his tenure, graduate applications from underrepresented minorities tripled (from 300 to 1300) and enrollment doubled (14 percent).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2013-05-02 |title=Christopher M. Jones - In the News |url=https://www.baystatebanner.com/2013/05/02/christopher-m-jones-in-the-news/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=The Bay State Banner}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Christopher Jones |url=https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/partners-links/leadership-arkansas/leadership-arkansas-class-xiv/christopher-jones/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> He left the position in April 2013.<ref name=":5" /> 

In May 2013, Jones was hired as the executive director of Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on improving one of Boston's poorest areas.<ref name=":18" /> He supervised day-to-day operations and performance of the organization.<ref name=":5" /> While he was there, Jones oversaw rapid growth due to a $6 million federal grant, Promise Neighborhoods. He supervised a $3.4 million budget as executive director.<ref name=":1" /> Prior to his role as executive director, Jones was a vice president on the board and volunteered at the organization.<ref name=":18" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shelar |first=Rachel |date=2014-10-27 |title=Economy League - Development Without Displacement: What We Can Learn from Boston |url=https://economyleague.org/providing-insight/regional-direction/2014/10/27/development-without-displacement-what-we-can-learn-from-boston-s-dudley-neighborhood |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=Economy League of Greater Philadelphia |language=en}}</ref> Jones was also appointed by Boston mayor Martin J. Walsh to the “Neighborhood Innovation District Committee” which was intended to improve economic development across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=David L. |date=2014-09-29 |title=Boston Mayor Walsh looking to create more innovation districts in the city |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/techflash/2014/09/boston-mayor-walsh-looking-to-create-more.html |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Boston Business Journal}}</ref> 

In 2015, Chris Jones left Dudley Street Neighborhood initiative for BCT Partners, a consulting firm. At BCT Partners, he led many large federal projects. <ref name=":8" />

On March 12, 2018, Jones was hired as the [[Social:Executive director|executive director]] and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Staff |date=2018-03-07 |title=Winrock Hires New Hub Director |url=https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/121037/winrock-hires-new-hub-director |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Arkansas Business |language=en}}</ref> The Innovation Hub is a nonprofit in North Little Rock, Arkansas, that is affiliated with Winrock International.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Innovative Arkansas Non-Profit Supports Inventive Minds |url=http://www.up.com/up/aboutup/community/inside_track/arkansas-makerspace-07-11-2018.htm |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=www.up.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, Jones announced a partnership with Scenic Hill Solar to create a solar power plant, a community based solar project that powered the Innovation Hub's energy needs.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-25 |title=Arkansas Innovation Hub, Scenic Hill Solar partner on solar power project |url=https://talkbusiness.net/2020/02/arkansas-innovation-hub-scenic-hill-solar-partner-on-solar-power-project/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Talk Business & Politics |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Tyler |date=2020-02-25 |title=Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub Developing Solar Power Plant |url=https://www.armoneyandpolitics.com/arkansas-regional-innovation-hub-developing-solar-power-plant/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=AMP |language=en-US}}</ref> At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Innovation Hub launched the Arkansas Maker Task Force, which included over 260 Arkansas makers<ref name=":2" /> who helped make personal protection equipment at the beginning of the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=THV11 Digital Staff |date=2020-03-26 |title=Arkansas Innovation Hub Maker Task Force to help make PPE during shortage |url=https://www.thv11.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/help-innovation-hub-maker-task-force-make-ppe-during-shortage/91-2c0f430d-502f-4e5e-8e00-306735616a34 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=THV11 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, Jones partnered with two {{wipe|Fortune 500}} companies to expand the organization's outreach in Central Arkansas.<ref name=":2" />  Partnerships included the [[Organization:MIT Media Lab|MIT Media Lab]], [[Company:Best Buy|Best Buy]], [[Company:Gilead Sciences|Gilead Sciences, Inc]], and the North Little Rock School District.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mackay |first=Mercedes |date=2020-06-29 |title=North Little Rock School District creates partnerships to help provide accessible learning for fall 2020 |url=https://www.thv11.com/article/news/north-little-rock-school-district-collaborates-for-fall-2020/91-9479ac66-060d-4c3e-bfda-b4346d29f7ee |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=THV11 |language=en-US}}</ref> Jones met regularly with Venture Center and Startup Junkie to collaborate on how to best help startups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Wesley |date=2019-02-05 |title='Collaboration' is driving Arkansas startup growth |url=https://talkbusiness.net/2019/02/collaboration-is-driving-arkansas-startup-growth/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Talk Business & Politics |language=en-US}}</ref> Jones stepped down as the director of the Innovation Hub on April 29, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Tyler |date=2021-04-30 |title=Jones Stepping Away from Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub |url=https://www.armoneyandpolitics.com/jones-stepping-away-from-arkansas-regional-innovation-hub/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=AMP |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= Staff |date=2021-04-30|title=Innovation Hub Director Chris Jones Steps Down |url=https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/135674/innovation-hub-director-steps-down |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Arkansas Business |language=en}}</ref>

Jones was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the board of directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.<ref name=":1" /> He served from March 2020 through January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Appointments : Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson |url=https://governor.arkansas.gov/news-media/press-releases/governor-asa-hutchinson-announces-appointments-200228 |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=governor.arkansas.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Jones is also an ordained minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-15 |title=Pine Bluff native Chris Jones announces bid for governor |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jun/15/pine-bluff-native-jones-announces-bid-governor/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Arkansas Online |language=en}}</ref>

=== Recognition ===
For his efforts as an assistant dean at MIT, Jones received the Irwin Sizer Award for Significant Improvements to MIT Education for his work leading the MIT Summer Research Program Design Team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards Convocation |url=https://news.mit.edu/2008/awards-con-tt0604 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=MIT News {{!}} Massachusetts Institute of Technology |language=en}}</ref> He shared this recognition with Professor Paula T. Hammond. 

Jones was a member of Class XIV of Leadership Arkansas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christopher Jones |url=https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/partners-links/leadership-arkansas/leadership-arkansas-class-xiv/christopher-jones/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> a group selected by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce to learn about issues facing people in Arkansas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership Arkansas Class XIV |url=https://www.arkansasstatechamber.com/partners-links/leadership-arkansas/leadership-arkansas-class-xiv/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In 2020, Jones was chosen as one of three Arkansans for the Presidential Leadership Scholars program,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-27 |title=Leadership Scholars include three Arkansans |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jan/27/leadership-scholars-include-three-arkan/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Arkansas Online |language=en}}</ref> which included visits to the presidential libraries of [[Biography:Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon B. Johnson]], Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.  

== 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election ==

On June 15, 2021, Jones announced his intention to run for Governor of Arkansas. He also released what became a viral biographical video, "About Time", describing Jones's educational background and intent to bring innovation to Arkansas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion {{!}} Why the Arkansas governor race is now one to watch |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/dr-chris-jones-viral-campaign-ad-shows-how-extraordinary-black-n1271788 |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref> The video later won two Pollie awards from the American Association of Political Consultants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pollie Awards – AAPC |url=https://theaapc.org/recognition-awards/pollie-awards/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Jones said he was running because he wanted to "focus on solutions, not politics."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-15 |title=Democrat Chris Jones Announces Bid For Arkansas Governor |url=https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-06-15/democrat-chris-jones-announces-bid-for-arkansas-governor |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=KUAR |language=en}}</ref> He cited rebuilding infrastructure, investing in healthcare and education and expanding rural broadband as his goals.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Chris Jones, a nuclear engineer and political newcomer, enters Arkansas governor's race |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/chris-jones-nuclear-engineer-political-newcomer-enters-arkansas-governor-s-n1270869 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Jones had not previously run for an elected position.<ref name=":11" />      

=== Primary election ===
[[File:2022_Arkansas_gubernatorial_Democratic_primary_election_results_map_by_county.svg|thumb|Results by county:
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#7996e2|Jones}}|{{legend|#dfeeff|20-30%}}|{{legend|#bdd3ff|30-40%}}|{{legend|#a5b0ff|40-50%}}|{{legend|#7996e2|50–60%}}|{{legend|#6674de|60–70%}}|{{legend|#584cde|70–80%}}|{{legend|#3933e5|80-90%}}
}}]]

Jones spoke of his intent to united Arkansans, mentioning the low level of voter participation.<ref name=":10" /> By mid-October, Jones had raised over $1 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Austin |date=2021-10-14 |title=Governor candidate Chris Jones pulls in $1 million |url=https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2021/10/14/governor-candidate-chris-jones-pulls-in-1-million |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Jones maintained the front-runner status throughout the primary race, in both opinion polls and fundraising.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=wbrown |title=Democratic Party frontrunner Chris Jones to launch month-long, 75-county campaign tour across state – Black Consumer News |url=https://blackconsumernews.com/democratic-party-frontrunner-chris-jones-to-launch-month-long-75-county-campaign-tour-across-state/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |language=en-US}}</ref>  

In February, Jones visited all 75 counties of Arkansas during "The Promise of Arkansas Tour".<ref>{{Cite web |last=5News Web Staff |date=2022-02-27 |title=Gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones set to conclude statewide tour with community event in Benton Co. |url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/politics/gubernatorial-candidate-chris-jones-set-to-conclude-promise-of-arkansas-tour-with-community-event-in-benton-co-governor-bentonville-ar-questions-sessi/527-1295637c-0b9a-45aa-aade-f3084a1b40c1 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=5 News Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Chris Jones Continuing Statewide Walk A Mile Tour in Rogers and Searcy |url=https://swark.today/chris-jones-continuing-statewide-walk-a-mile-tour-in-rogers-and-searcy/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=SWARK Today |language=en-US}}</ref> On the tour, Jones discussed his "PB&J" policy agenda: preschool, broadband, and jobs, citing Arkansas's ranking in the bottom of education.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=Governor Candidate Chris Jones Visiting All 75 Counties on 'The Promise of Arkansas' Tour |url=https://www.armoneyandpolitics.com/chris-jones-the-promise-of-arkansas-tour/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=AMP |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Room |first=Press |date=2022-05-22 |title=Arkansas Governor candidate Chris Jones makes campaign stop in El Dorado |url=https://newspub.live/south/arkansas/arkansas-governor-candidate-chris-jones-makes-campaign-stop-in-el-dorado/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=News Pub |language=en-US}}</ref> The tour also served as a listening tour where Jones said that he could learn what issues mattered most to Arkansans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arkansas Gubernatorial Candidate Visits Texarkana |url=https://www.ktoy1047.com/news/news-of-the-ark-la-tex/arkansas-gubernatorial-candidate-visits-texarkana/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=KTOY |language=en}}</ref> Jones argued that the state could fulfill its promise through "faith, hope, and hard work."<ref name=":15" /> 

Besides Jones, there were four additional candidates in the Democratic primary: Anthony Bland, Jay Martin, James Russell and Supha Xayprasith-Mays.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |date=2021-06-21 |title=Democrat Chris Jones enters Arkansas governor race with dramatic viral video |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/559350-chris-jones-democrat-running-against-sarah-huckabee-sanders-releases/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> The primary election was held on May 24, 2022.<ref name=":14" /> Jones handily won the race with 70.4% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-01 |title=Chris Jones For Governor Campaign Set To Launch Statewide Tour |url=https://www.deltaplexnews.com/chris-jones-for-governor-campaign-set-to-launch-statewide-tour/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Deltaplex News |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Jones became the first Black candidate to run for governor from the Democratic Party,<ref name=":2" /> and the first Black candidate to win the Democratic primary for a state-wide office.<ref name=":15" />    

=== General election === 

After winning the primary, Jones announced the "Walk a Mile In Your Shoes Tour."<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Austin |date=2022-06-01 |title=Arkansas governor hopeful Chris Jones tackles his first mile in Little Rock |url=https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2022/06/01/arkansas-governor-hopeful-chris-jones-tackles-his-first-mile-in-little-rock |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US}}</ref> This tour is the second time that the campaign went to each county across the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democratic Nominee Chris Jones to continue his Walk A Mile Tour in Hot Springs, Russellville |url=https://swark.today/democratic-nominee-chris-jones-to-continue-his-walk-a-mile-tour-in-hot-springs-russellville/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=SWARK Today |language=en-US}}</ref> The tour was intended to give Jones a chance to walk in other people shoes. Jones said that his campaign was about "neighbors talking to neighbors".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Jones Visits Hope {{!}} Hope Prescott |url=https://hopeprescott.com/2022/08/18/democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-chris-jones-visits-hope/ |access-date=2022-09-09}}</ref> Others noted that this an opposite strategy from the Republican candidate.<ref name=":16" />     

In the general election, Jones was against Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump's former press secretary, and Libertarian Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. Jones lost the November 8 election by a large margin, with Sanders commanding 65% of the statewide vote.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jones impressive, but much history to overcome |url=http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/opinion/article_1f2f5a86-d036-11eb-a2d1-bb8d259a21f0.html |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Magnolia Reporter - Magnolia, Arkansas News |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Chris Jones's parents are both preachers; his father also sold insurance and his mother is also a retired teacher.<ref name=":1" />  

Jones married Jerrilyn Jones in 2001. Jerrilyn Jones is an {{wipe|Air force}} combat veteran who worked as a flight surgeon in the 75th Fighter Squadron during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Jerrilyn is currently an [[Medicine:Emergency physician|emergency room physician]] and [[Social:Associate professor|associate professor]] of [[Medicine:Emergency medicine|emergency medicine]] at the [[Organization:University of Arkansas|University of Arkansas Medical Sciences]] (UAMS).<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-08 |title=Dynamic Duos 2022 — Drs. Jerrilyn and Chris Jones |url=https://www.armoneyandpolitics.com/dynamic-duos-2022-drs-jerrilyn-and-chris-jones/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=AMP |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Heyen |first=Curtis |date=2021-06-15 |title=Physicist/minister Chris Jones announces his bid to be Arkansas' next governor |url=https://www.ksla.com/2021/06/15/physicistminister-chris-jones-announces-his-bid-be-arkansas-next-governor/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=KSLA |language=en}}</ref> At UAMS, Jerrilyn became the inaugural director of the post-baccalaureate program, which intends to serve as a bridge for students who may have a difficult time getting admitted to emergency medicine.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Lesher |first=Chris |date=2021-01-26 |title=Dr. Jerrilyn Jones is Inaugural Director of the Post-Baccalaureate Program {{!}} UAMS Department of Emergency Medicine |url=https://medicine.uams.edu/emergencymedicine/dr-jerrilyn-jones-is-inaugural-director-of-the-post-baccalaureate-program/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=UAMS College of Medicine |language=en-US}}</ref> Jerrilyn Jones also serves as medical director of preparedness at the Arkansas Department of Health.<ref name=":17" /> In 2021, Jones received the Arkansas First Lady's Woman in Public Service Award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=UAMS Staff |date=2021-08-20 |title=Dr. Jerrilyn Jones Awarded 2021 Arkansas First Lady's Woman in Public Service {{!}} UAMS Department of Emergency Medicine |url=https://medicine.uams.edu/emergencymedicine/dr-jerrilyn-jones-awarded-2021-arkansas-first-ladys-woman-in-public-service/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=UAMS College of Medicine |language=en-US}}</ref>      

Jones's older brother Leon Jones is a longtime member of the Republican Party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brantley |first=Max |date=2021-04-06 |title=Meet a candidate for attorney general; with a brother in the wings on the other side |url=https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2021/04/06/meet-a-candidate-for-attorey-general |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Leon Jones ran for the office of Arkansas Attorney General in the 2022 Republican primary election, but he did not win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arkansas Primary Attorney General Live Election Results 2022 – NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-primary-elections/arkansas-attorney-general-results |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.nbcnews.com}}</ref> Chris Jones said having a brother in a different party gave him practice speaking with voters from both parties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Wesley |date=2022-05-15 |title=Keeping up with the Jones: Pine Bluff brothers at the top of the Democratic, GOP tickets in the run for the state's highest offices - Arkansas Delta Informer |url=https://arkansasdeltainformer.com/keeping-up-with-the-jones-pine-bluff-brothers-at-the-top-of-the-democratic-gop-tickets-in-the-run-for-the-states-highest-offices/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
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{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas|years=2022}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Christopher M.}}
[[Category:Nuclear engineers]]

{{Sourceattribution|Chris Jones (Arkansas politician)}}