The mayor of Lewisville, Arkansas – Ethan Noel Dunbar – officially launched his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in an effort to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Tom Cotton.
Dunbar released a statement Wednesday (Sept. 10) announcing his candidacy.
“I intend to be your senator — a people first senator,” Dunbar said. “I live in Arkansas and face the challenges here daily. My wife serves on the local school board, and our son attends public school. I understand our state’s issues — especially in rural areas where agriculture is central, populations are declining, and economic struggles are real. My campaign is about listening to Arkansans, amplifying their voices, and delivering results that strengthen families, communities, and our state as a whole,” he said.
Dunbar, a native of Lewisville, is a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major with more than 33 years of service. He said his candidacy is “deeply informed” by his academic work. In August 2023, he earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Leadership from the University of Central Arkansas, with a dissertation on the ethical leadership of elected officials.
“I am uniquely qualified for this position, because I am laser-focused on bringing opportunities to Arkansas that will improve our overall well-being and global competitiveness in agriculture,” said Dunbar. “To genuinely serve the people of Arkansas, leaders must share the lived experiences of the constituents they represent. My vision is for a Senate office that is centered entirely on the needs of Arkansans — not personal ambition.”
Dunbar said his campaign will focus on expanding rural healthcare access, investing in education, and protecting veterans and working families. He also said defending democracy and restoring integrity in politics was a goal.
“We must restore peace, order, and compassion to our political process. Political power should never be pursued for personal gain. Our Declaration of Independence was made precisely to oppose such conditions, and we must ensure that the rights guaranteed to every citizen are protected as envisioned by the founders. Democracy depends on electing leaders who respect the people they serve and who act selflessly, not out of ambition but out of commitment to protecting our freedoms,” he said. “I’ve served this nation for over three decades in uniform, and now I’m ready to serve Arkansans in the Senate.”
Dunbar joins Hallie Shoffner and James “Rus” Russell in the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.