Republican primary candidate Mike Jones is running for Arkansas House District 52, a largely rural district spanning all of Scott County, a portion of southern Sebastian County, and most of Yell County. He describes himself as a fifth-generation farmer/cattle operator who was pushed into politics during the COVID era after opposing mandates and shutdowns, and he says his campaign is focused on representing rural constituents and limiting government.
In the interview, Jones argues Arkansas is taxing and spending too much, criticizes wasteful government spending, and says economic development should not rely on taxpayer-funded incentives or “picking winners and losers.” He also weighs in on the Franklin County prison proposal, saying he supports more prison capacity but believes it can be done far cheaper than the current price tag and with more respect for local input. Jones supports school choice/LEARNS as a “step in the right direction,” expresses a strongly pro-Second Amendment position, and tells voters he’s the candidate most willing to “stand up to the powers that be” and remain accountable to constituents.
Early voting for in the Republican primary races begins February 16, 2026, and primary election day is Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Learn more about Mike Jones at www.mikejonesforstaterep.com
Key Topics:
00:00:09 – 00:00:47 — Introduction; candidate + race overview
00:00:47 – 00:01:15 — House District 52 boundaries (counties/area)
00:01:15 – 00:03:23 — Personal background (farming/ranching, work, family)
00:02:07 – 00:04:27 — Entry into politics; 2022 race; rural district concerns (water, senior centers)
00:04:27 – 00:06:14 — COVID-era mandates and shutdown impacts
00:06:14 – 00:11:06 — Farming crisis; inflation/input costs; market concentration; subsidies; country-of-origin labeling; timing of aid payments
00:11:06 – 00:13:51 — Arkansas ag policy ideas (sales tax exemptions, keeping farmland in production, carbon credits); small processors; direct-to-consumer beef rules
00:13:51 – 00:15:30 — Food freedom/regulation (raw milk; small dairies; “red tape”)
00:15:30 – 00:17:51 — Education: LEARNS Act; school choice; homeschool; funding concerns
00:17:51 – 00:19:48 — Taxes & spending; surplus; property taxes; budget approach
00:19:48 – 00:22:57 — Economic development; taxpayer incentives; workforce/resources; role of government vs entrepreneurs
00:22:57 – 00:26:54 — Franklin County prison proposal; cost/process concerns; government waste examples
00:26:54 – 00:30:49 — “The people rule”; constituent accountability; legislative independence/separation of powers
00:30:49 – 00:33:15 — Candidate motivation/philosophy on representation
00:33:15 – 00:34:09 — Second Amendment position/endorsement
00:34:09 – 00:35:34 — Crowded primary; what sets him apart
00:35:34 – 00:36:08 — Contact info; closing remarks
