Adam Watson, an Independent candidate in the March 3 special election for Arkansas Senate District 26, says he entered the race after months of organizing against the proposed Franklin County prison project.
Watson, founding director of Gravel and Grit, the nonprofit that has “been pushing back against” what he called the “Franklin County prison debacle,” said his advocacy work became the “next logical step” toward seeking office after the death of Sen. Gary Stubblefield.
Asked why he chose to run without a party label, Watson argued the district’s unusual political moment favors candidates running on individual ideas rather than party branding. “When you have an electorate that is kind of hyper-engaged around an issue… I think it lends itself exceptionally well to something that’s different from the two-party system,” he said.
Beyond the prison, Watson says voters are raising concerns about property taxes, state spending, and transparency in the legislative process. He has also criticized how major legislation — including education and economic development measures — has moved quickly through the Capitol without sufficient debate.
Watson faces Republican nominee Brad Simon in the March 3 general election. Early voting begins February 17.
You can learn more about Watson here.
Key Topics and Time Codes:
🏛️ Why He’s Running / Background
⏱️ 01:13 – 02:03
• Founder of Gravel & Grit
• Led opposition to Franklin County prison
• Worked with Stubblefield & King at the Capitol
• Running to “keep making a difference in a more official capacity”
🗳️ Why Run as an Independent
⏱️ 03:35 – 04:56
• Says engaged voters are open to non-party candidates
• Focus on individual ideas over party platforms
⏱️ 09:05 – 10:06
• Critiques GOP supermajority on spending/overreach
• Declined offers to run as Republican or Democrat
⚖️ Supermajority & Competition of Ideas
⏱️ 09:47 – 10:29
• “Supermajorities are dangerous”
• Policy improves with debate and competition
🔧 Legislative Process Reforms
⏱️ 11:10 – 12:37
• Bill filing limits
• End voice votes
• Committees stick to agendas
• Make citizen testimony easier
🔍 Checks & Balances / Executive Power
⏱️ 13:07 – 13:50
• Legislature “ceding authority” to executive
• Calls for protecting co-equal branches
🚫 Franklin County Prison
⏱️ 34:45 – 36:32
• Opposes 3,000-bed mega prison
• Wants smaller expansions + root-cause solutions
• Invest in mental health, reentry, drug courts
💰 Spending & Taxes
⏱️ 16:03 – 17:15
• Voters concerned about property taxes
• Says Arkansas has a spending problem
• Cut spending before cutting revenue
🎓 LEARNS Act / School Choice
⏱️ 17:15 – 20:12
• Supports teacher pay raises
• Wants more accountability in funding
🏭 Economic Development & Eminent Domain
⏱️ 21:04 – 23:32
• Skeptical of corporate incentives
• Calls for local control and transparency
• Rural communities “bear the brunt” of projects
🗳️ Ballot Initiative / Election Law Changes
⏱️ 24:16 – 25:51
• Says reforms restrict direct democracy
• Warns supermajority is “closing the door behind itself”
🤝 Working Across the Aisle
⏱️ 05:23 – 07:30
• Claims history of bipartisan coalition building
• Focus on “Arkansas platform,” not national parties
📅 Election Details
⏱️ 40:13 – 40:37
• Early voting: Feb. 17
• Election Day: March 3
