It’s official, folks: I am the Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas — and the first African American ever nominated for this office by a major party.

You’ve helped build this campaign. You’ve helped make history. I couldn’t be more grateful, and I’m asking you to stay in this fight. Here’s why:

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is now my Republican opponent. She’s received an outpouring of support from elites and far-right supporters across the country. If they drown out our message, they will deny Arkansas families the opportunities we can bring if we win in November.

Now that the general election has begun, will you chip in $20 or whatever you can? We’ve got to turbo-charge our organizing and outreach at this moment, and that takes real resources.

As a seventh-generation Arkansan, I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight for this great state of ours. I’m humbled by the responsibility the primary voters have placed in me. And I’m determined to win this election — because Arkansas families can’t afford more of the same.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders has spent this campaign dodging state and local press, skipping events with voters across the state, and catering to wealthy elites and far-right pundits while fanning the flames of division.

On the other hand, I’ve shown that I’ll talk with anyone — anytime, anywhere. I’ve already visited every county in Arkansas as part of this campaign. And here’s my promise to you: I will be a governor who brings folks together across lines of race and place and expands opportunity for all.

While this news makes this an exciting day for us and for Arkansas, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the lives lost in yet another tragic school shooting yesterday at a Texas elementary school. We remind ourselves that we have so much work to do in areas of education, mental health, gun violence and more. People are hurting and need leaders to take action.

We must do everything we can to win this election and build a better world for our children. I’m fired up — and I’m honored to fight by your side.

Please make a donation today so we can hit the ground running. Let’s show the nation how to win in a so-called “red state.” Let’s change the conversation, one vote at a time. And let’s fulfill the promise of Arkansas.

Onward,

Chris Jones