AR-04 Democratic nominee?
$1.3K
MAR 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMental health clinic owner (outpatient counseling)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationArkansas
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BackgroundMental health clinic owner (outpatient counseling)
EducationUniversity of Central Arkansas (specialized in combined Pre-Med/Pre-Law curriculum with emphasis on Ethics, Politics, and Law)
Notable personal detailsJames Richard "Rus" Russell III is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District (2026). He and his wife, Wendy, own and operate an outpatient mental health business in Little Rock (operating since 2014). He has worked in healthcare administration roles including at the Arkansas State Medical Board and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and he previously ran in the 2022 Democratic primary for Arkansas governor. He served in the Arkansas National Guard as a Nuclear, Biological, Radiological, and Chemical warfare specialist.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports progressive tax reforms focused on closing tax loopholes for corporations and the wealthy, opposes cutting state income taxes when it would reduce funding for public programs, and emphasizes fiscal accountability and transparency in government spending.
Healthcare
Supports expanding Medicare and moving toward universal healthcare to lower costs and expand access, including measures to reduce prescription costs and prevent people from falling through coverage gaps.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports women’s reproductive autonomy and the right of women to control their own bodies. Public statements indicate opposition to restrictive policies and a stance in favor of protecting reproductive rights. No detailed policy limits or specific legislative proposals on gestational limits were found in the cited sources.
Climate & Energy
Supports protecting Arkansas’s natural resources from pollution and investing in a clean energy future that uses multiple energy sources while maintaining energy reliability. Emphasizes preventing toxic industrial runoff and promoting ecotourism alongside clean-energy investment.
News
James Russell III has won the Democratic primary for Arkansas' 4th Congressional District, making him the party's nominee for the November race. He will now face Republican incumbent Bruce Westerman. Russell is also known as a mental health advocate and has previously run for the Senate and for governor in 2022.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements