Retired Army colonel and former congressional candidate Marcus Jones announced Friday that he’s joining the race to become the next chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

His news comes the day after DPA Vice Chair Jannie Cotton said she’s also running for the top seat.

Jones gained name recognition in Arkansas political circles in 2024 when he made a respectable but ultimately unsuccessful bid for the District 2 seat occupied by Republican Rep. French Hill. Jones’ defeat leaves him in excellent company: State Sen. Clarke Tucker and former state Sen. Joyce Elliott have also forced old French to break a sweat to hold on to the seat he’s occupied since 2015.

Jones said Friday that he thinks the state party chairmanship is where he can best contribute now.

“I have a proven

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