Who Is Running for Senate in Arkansas in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Thomas Cotton
(Incumbent)Economy
HighThomas Cotton emphasizes that businesses and entrepreneurs, not politicians, create jobs. He advocates for reducing and simplifying taxes, citing their high cost and complexity as distorting financial decisions. Cotton also seeks to cut the federal debt, which he describes as a crisis due to excessive spending. He introduced the DATA Act of 2026 to lower energy costs for Arkansans by eliminating federal regulations, aiming to help manufacturers and data centers.
Immigration
HighSenator Tom Cotton supports strict immigration enforcement, including mass deportations, and opposes defunding ICE. He introduced the Enforce Immigration or Lose Transportation Act to condition state transportation funding on compliance with federal immigration laws, aiming to prioritize safety. Additionally, he introduced the Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act to increase penalties for migrants convicted of fraud schemes. Cotton advocates for ending chain migration and moving to a system that selects immigrants based on valuable skills.
Healthcare
HighThomas Cotton advocates for repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), viewing it as a "job-killer" and "assault on liberty," and seeks to replace it with free-market reforms that empower patients and doctors. He plans to combine health care overhauls with extending Trump tax cuts to make health care more affordable and personalized. Additionally, he co-led and voted for the Living Donor Protection Act, which passed the Senate HELP Committee 26-1, aimed at protecting living organ donors from discrimination.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Thomas Cotton |
|---|---|
| Economy | Thomas Cotton emphasizes that businesses and entrepreneurs, not politicians, create jobs. He advocates for reducing and simplifying taxes, citing their high cost and complexity as distorting financial decisions. Cotton also seeks to cut the federal debt, which he describes as a crisis due to excessive spending. He introduced the DATA Act of 2026 to lower energy costs for Arkansans by eliminating federal regulations, aiming to help manufacturers and data centers. High |
| Immigration | Senator Tom Cotton supports strict immigration enforcement, including mass deportations, and opposes defunding ICE. He introduced the Enforce Immigration or Lose Transportation Act to condition state transportation funding on compliance with federal immigration laws, aiming to prioritize safety. Additionally, he introduced the Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act to increase penalties for migrants convicted of fraud schemes. Cotton advocates for ending chain migration and moving to a system that selects immigrants based on valuable skills. High |
| Healthcare | Thomas Cotton advocates for repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), viewing it as a "job-killer" and "assault on liberty," and seeks to replace it with free-market reforms that empower patients and doctors. He plans to combine health care overhauls with extending Trump tax cuts to make health care more affordable and personalized. Additionally, he co-led and voted for the Living Donor Protection Act, which passed the Senate HELP Committee 26-1, aimed at protecting living organ donors from discrimination. High |
| Climate & Energy | Thomas Cotton introduced the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives (DATA) Act of 2026 to accelerate American energy innovation and lower energy costs by eliminating outdated federal regulations. He also proposed the Ratepayer Affordability and Transparency in Energy (RATE) Act, aiming to prevent states from mandating renewable energy sources, citing a goal to reduce electricity costs and promote grid reliability. Senator Cotton states he views fossil fuels as a valuable asset to be used, not a liability, supporting policies that unleash energy producers for energy independence. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Senator Tom Cotton is pro-life and believes that life begins at conception, advocating for a culture of life from conception through death. He supports legislative measures such as the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act. Cotton opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and voted to overturn federal regulations protecting Planned Parenthood from funding cuts. He maintains that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided as it removed the issue from state legislatures. High |
| Foreign Policy | Senator Thomas Cotton supports a strong U.S. national security posture and assertive foreign policy, including investments in defense and maintaining congressional oversight. He voted to require Senate advice and consent for NATO withdrawal (S. Amdt. 429 to S. 2226) and for the repeal of the 2002 AUMF (S. 316). He advocated for strikes against Iran, stating they are necessary to keep Americans safe and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, believing the New START treaty expiration benefits America. High |
| Education | Senator Tom Cotton introduced the American Workforce Act, aiming to overhaul workforce education by investing in training vouchers for employer-designed programs. He stated that the federal government has over-funded colleges, which he believes have allowed "anti-American ideas flourish," while neglecting the majority of Americans who do not attend college. Additionally, Senator Cotton opposes critical race theory in schools and supports religious liberty in education. He also introduced the Student Loan Reform Act of 2022 to improve higher education. High |
| Gun Policy | In January 2019, Senator Tom Cotton co-sponsored the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This bill aimed to allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise that right in any other state with concealed carry laws, while adhering to the respective state's regulations. This action reflects his position supporting gun rights. Low |
Get updates on Arkansas Senate
Enter your email to be notified when candidate profiles are complete.