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By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning, Advocate readers! Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill and Democrat Chris Jones clashed over the Iran war and President Donald Trump in the debate for central Arkansas’ U.S. House seat. And U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton’s campaign is funding a $1 million effort to get out the vote ahead of the midterm election. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.

U.S. Congressional District 2 candidates Chris Jones (D) and incumbent Rep. French Hill (R) shake hands after the debate at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)

U.S. Congressional District 2 candidates Chris Jones (D) and incumbent Rep. French Hill (R) shake hands after the debate at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Central Arkansas congressional candidates debate independence from Trump, cost of living

By Tess Vrbin

Democrat Chris Jones said Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill is too closely aligned with President Donald Trump as the two rivals running for a central Arkansas congressional seat that’s gaining national attention debated Thursday.

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Arkansas Secretary of State candidates Kelly Grappe (D), Sen. Kim Hammer (R), and Michael Pakko (L), meet on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 to debate at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas Secretary of State candidates Kelly Grappe (D), Sen. Kim Hammer (R), and Michael Pakko (L), meet on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 to debate at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Republican’s push for initiative restrictions criticized in Arkansas secretary of state debate

By Tess Vrbin

Arkansas Republican Sen. Kim Hammer defended his stances on noncitizen voting and restrictions on the state’s ballot initiative process during a televised debate against his two opponents for secretary of state Thursday.

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U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton shakes hands with supporters at Republican Party headquarters in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 after being declared the winner of his party’s primary. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton shakes hands with supporters at Republican Party headquarters in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 after being declared the winner of his party’s primary. (Photo by John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Cotton, Arkansas Republicans announce $1M get-out-the-vote effort for midterm election

By Andrew DeMillo

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Arkansas Republicans announced a $1 million effort to get out the vote Thursday ahead of the November election as Democrats are making a bid to unseat top GOP leaders.

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