Arkansas Democrats Elect Retired Army Colonel Marcus Jones as Party Chair

LITTLE ROCK- Retired Army Colonel Marcus Jones has been elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

In his acceptance speech, Colonel Jones said,

"When I look at this room, I see Arkansans committed to making a difference in our state and in our nation. You have built momentum. We have recruited strong candidates and expanded our ground game. In the Army we like to call this setting conditions-setting conditions for success. And the result of that is we've had the best election cycle that has happened in 18 years. So now it's time to carry that momentum forward…

There's a verse in the Bible that says iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. This process that we have gone through to talk with each other, to conduct a campaign, to elect a chair-all of that is positive. It's good. It's brought debate and dialogue that we should all be having.

Now is the time we move forward-the time that we carry those Democratic values. Because outside of this room, not everybody shares those same values we do. We've got to be the folks that carry that forward for Arkansans. We've gotta be the people that do that for our nation. I appreciate you for this opportunity. I am honored to be your chair."

Col. Marcus Jones enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in July 1990 and attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned a Bachelor's in Political Science. He also holds Master's Degrees from the U.S. Army War College and Webster University.

His time in military service took him across the country and the world, including conducting top-secret operations in Iraq and countering North Korean provocation as a Senior Army Officer in South Korea. He also served as a Programme Director at NATO's Joint Warfare Centre in Norway, creating the real-life plan to counter Russian and anti-NATO military aggression. Col. Jones culminated 29 years of commissioned service as the Senior Army Advisor to the Arkansas Army National Guard, returning to his home in Central Arkansas. With three decades of experience driving strategic initiatives, optimizing operations, and leading high-performing teams in complex, fast-paced environments, he's ready to serve as Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

Marcus' military awards include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 Campaign Stars), and the Meritorious Unit Citation (2 OLC).

Marcus and his wife of 30 years, Carrie, live in Little Rock and are the proud parents of two adult children Will and Abby Grace as well as a a very young, rambunctious giant schnauzer named Poppy. They are members of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.