PRESS RELEASE:
Faith leaders enthusiastically endorse Chris Jones for Governor of Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK – 27 faith leaders from across Arkansas today announced their support and endorsement of Chris Jones and his candidacy for governor of Arkansas. These leaders stand united in their support for Jones’s campaign, vision and policy goals. This announcement comes one week after 35 faith leaders gathered to have a conversation with Jones. They wholeheartedly support his vision to realize the promise of Arkansas and spread opportunities across the state to help improve the lives of every Arkansan.
“Our campaign has traveled across the state and our message is resonating with people of all backgrounds—especially those who have been ignored and forgotten by their government for years.” said Jones. “As a minister and preacher ‘s kid, I am very proud to be supported by a community of faith leaders. My faith is important to me and I am grateful for the support and prayers of other faith leaders uplifting our message of faith, hope, and hard work for the people of Arkansas.”
Vote Common Good, an organization that “stands for the common good and to support candidates who stand against Christian Nationalism” helped sponsor the event. Rev. Robb Ryerse, of Vote Common Good and Springdale, Arkansas said, “At its best, the Christian tradition is about the incarnation of grace and truth, mercy and justice, faith and works. Chris Jones embodies this tradition of goodness and wisdom. I am confident that as governor, he will lead our state toward greater justice and generosity, for the good of all Arkansans.”
Pastor Clegg of Second Baptist in Little Rock said, "A few years ago, I made up my mind to show up wherever I saw integrity, honesty, love, goodwill, justice, and a concern for the common good. I decided to show up wherever I saw public servants who recognized the "servant" part of that phrase. I decided to show up to support candidates who called everyone to higher ground because it was right, not who mobilized the lowest ground, simply because it was expedient. This is why I'm here today in support of Chris Jones. I'm honored to call him a friend, and I see the best of virtues living in him."
Marion Humphrey, Sr. said, “I am supporting Chris Jones for governor because he is a remarkable man who cares about all people in this state. Chris cares about developing the potential of every person in Arkansas. He has that kind of heart and he possesses the intellect to get things done.”
“I strongly endorse Chris Jones for Governor. His faith, truthful voice, and strong leadership character is what Arkansas needs now,” said Kaye A. Bernard.
Additional faith leaders continue to sign on to endorse Chris Jones for Governor of Arkansas, as “the best choice for the people in our state.” This list, still growing, includes:
Maxine Allen
Deborah Bell
LaVerne Bell-Toliver
Kaye A Bernard
Odessa Darrough
Ryan Davis
David Featherstone
David C. Freeman
James Garrison
Barbara Gilkey
Lowell Girsham
Marion A. Humphrey, Sr.
Terrance Long
Sara Milford
Jimmy Mosby
B. Murray
Scott Ramsey
John Richards
D. L. Richardson
Wiliam Robinson
Robb Ryerse
Vanessa Ryerse
Clint Schnekloth
Edwin Strickland
Truman Tolefree
Danita Waller-Paige
Carolyn Ward
Last week, Jones and Vote Common Good executive director Doug Pagitt, also an ordained minister, published an opinion piece calling out the threat of Christian nationalism on American democracy, especially at the state level. In the piece, published by Newsweek, Jones and Pagitt warn about the distressing thread of normalizing Christian nationalism that has led to literal violence, and how all Americans can take action and “vote it out” in the upcoming midterm elections.
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PRESS AVAILABILITY
Please contact [email protected] for any requests related to this video or to interview Chris Jones, who is available for one-on-one media interviews For additional information and media inquiries, please contact the campaign.
IMAGES FOR USE
Group of faith leaders in prayer with Dr. Jones at Faith Leader for Chris event in North Little Rock
ABOUT DR. CHRIS JONES
Dr. Chris Jones, the 2022 Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas, is a physicist, minister, educator, non-profit executive leader, father and husband. Chris, a Pine Bluff, Arkansas native, is a son of a preacher and an educator and was raised with a strong sense of faith. He attended Morehouse College on a NASA Scholarship for physics and math, then went on to study at MIT becoming a nuclear engineer and earning a Ph.D. in urban planning. After becoming ordained as a minister, Chris returned home to Arkansas and led the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. Through this work, he has seen firsthand how disparities within Arkansas have gotten worse, not better. He believes there is much room for growth, including improving public education opportunities in every community, strengthening infrastructure from roads to broadband access, protecting and securing our right to vote, and bridging the rural and urban divide. Chris has faith in Arkansas’s potential, and he is running for governor to ensure every person in Arkansas has an opportunity to succeed. Chris is the proud husband to Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, an emergency medicine physician and U.S. Air Force combat veteran who served in Afghanistan. Together, they are proud parents to three daughters.