U.S. Congressional District 2 candidates Chris Jones (D) and incumbent Rep. French Hill (R) shook hands after a debate at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Jones criticized Hill for being too closely aligned with President Donald Trump, while Hill argued that Congress has attempted to check Trump’s power during his two non-consecutive terms. Jones disagreed, pointing out that Hill’s voting record has almost always matched Trump’s priorities. “That’s not holding him accountable,” Jones said. “That’s letting him have free reign for [his] reckless decisions.”
The candidates for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District butted heads over a variety of issues, including the war in Iran, the $40 trillion national debt and the affordability of healthcare and housing. Hill, a banker who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, and Jones, a pastor and scientist whose first foray into politics was his unsuccessful 2022 bid for Arkansas governor, both live in part of Little Rock, which is included in the 2nd District. The race has drawn endorsements and spending from both major parties.
An August Talk Business & Politics poll indicated a tight race. Democrats see rare signs of hope in solidly red Arkansas’ midterms. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has included the 2nd District among the GOP seats it aims to flip in November. Political forecasters Larry Sabato and the Cook Political Report have recently moved the race in Democrats’ favor, from safe to likely Republican. Democrats still face long odds in a state where the party’s nominees haven’t been elected to statewide or federal office since 2010. Hill’s campaign has also outraised and outspent Jones, who would be Arkansas’ first Black member of Congress if he wins.
Hill has split with Trump on some issues, including opposing the president’s plan to allow more beef imports into the U.S. He mentioned Thursday that earlier this year, Trump abruptly canceled plans to sign bipartisan housing legislation that Hill championed. “President Trump said it wasn’t a good bill, and I told President Trump no,” Hill said. Trump ultimately allowed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to become law without his signature. The law removed some of the regulations on housing manufacturing and bank loans for homebuyers.
Jones said the law had some good qualities but did not go far enough to make homeownership more affordable. Jones has repeatedly criticized Hill’s support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, a sweeping budget bill Trump signed last year that is expected to cut Medicaid and food stamps by more than $1 trillion over the next decade.
