Dr. Chris Jones Talks key Issues and Representing all of Arkansas

Candidate for Arkansas Governor Dr. Chris Jones talked about his campaign on Friday.

Jones spoke during KHOZ's "Around The Table" about his campaign. Jones said he grew up in South Arkansas and "loved it." The seventh generation Arkansas citizen said he loves everything about the state.

"It was the foundation that I got here in Arkansas that allowed me to go on to get five degrees, including a Ph.D. from MIT," Jones said. He said he brings that as well as his experience working in and running several multimillion-dollar organizations to the table. However, Jones highlighted one point in particular.

He said what matters most is that he cares about Arkansas and is "willing to show up." He stressed solving problems as neighbors and said he's an ordained minister. The ordained minister discussed education.

Jones said people need to start by coming together as neighbors. He's an engineer, and he said engineers gather different people to work together. He said Arkansas citizens want a better educational future for their children.

He said a conversation about that future's resources happens, but he said his concern is identifying "the core root issue."

"We know that teacher pay matters to attract new teachers and to maintain our quality teachers," Jones said. He underlined paying teachers well as a key to keeping them; Jones also pointed to the importance of PreK and trades.

He said Arkansas hasn't focused enough on trades. He said this shouldn't focus on college alone but include entrepreneurship among other opportunities for all children.

Jones said he's also running because of the politics as usual mentality. "I've always believed that if we want our politics to be different, we have to be different," he said. The candidate said his plan is Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan.

He said he thinks Hutchinson is right and that his plan is sustainable. "I'm always about focusing on the solutions that will help all of us," Jones said. He will visit the area soon.

Jones said he looks forward to his Saturday visit to Mountain Home; he also said he will probably stop to visit friends in Harrison. Later, Jones discussed high-speed internet access and more.

The full interview with Jones is on the "Around The Table" Facebook Page.