Folks, 

As a seventh-generation Arkansan, I know firsthand just how much of an impact our state’s young people have in shaping its future. While I was a young man growing up in Pine Bluff, my parents instilled in me that voting is one of the most important ways we can shape our reality, and my wife and I are doing the same thing now with our three girls.

I can also speak to the frustration of feeling ignored — or even worse, disempowered — because while youth participation in the political process is often encouraged on voting day, their concerns can tend to go unaddressed once election season has come and gone. I understand how unfulfilled promises can make young voters question whether their participation truly matters. I asked myself that same question once upon a time.

As Governor of Arkansas, I am going to do everything in my power to change this. I will listen to and address the concerns of our young voters, students, and community members. This race is ultimately going to come down to which candidate has the best and boldest vision for Arkansas, and who better to help set that vision than our future generations?

That’s why I’m reaching out to you directly, because I want to have a candid conversation about how to do that. 

This midterm election is critical, and it’s important that we prioritize the concerns of our young voters — not only to turn them out and vote, but to also know how to address their top issues. Would you mind sharing the things that you or the young people in your life would like to see addressed by your elected officials in the midterms?

It’s graduation season — one of my favorite times of the year. My parents always said that your education is one thing that can never be taken from you, and I’m a firm believer in that adage. Since we’ve launched this campaign, I’ve been blessed to meet countless brilliant young minds on the cusp of this major accomplishment, and it fills my heart with joy to watch many of them see it through here in our great state.

Yet there’s so much more to be done to ensure these graduates find their footing once their college days have ended. I know our PB&J plan to make Preschool available to every child, ensure rural Arkansans have access to Broadband, and connect hard working folks to well-paying Jobs will do a lot to ease their burdens. I also know there are more brilliant ideas out there, and I could use your input to help determine exactly what young people want their elected leaders to prioritize. 

I believe that the best leaders aren’t afraid to ask for help, so I’m turning to young voters nationwide for a massive favor. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and share your thoughts with me on what you’d like to see addressed for young voters during this year’s midterm elections. 

Thanks again for your support. I’m grateful to have you on this team.

Chris Jones