James Russell

Friends and family call James Russell "Rus," and he and his wife, Wendy, have run an outpatient mental health business in Little Rock since 2014.¹ Born in Bossier City, Louisiana, he grew up between his mother's family there and his father's family in rural Lewisville, Arkansas.¹

Russell graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, studying a curriculum that combined preparation for medicine and law with ethics, politics and legal studies.¹ He served in the Arkansas National Guard and later worked in physician credentialing for the Arkansas State Medical Board.¹ He also coordinated medical staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital.¹

He entered electoral politics by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022, losing the primary to Chris Jones.² His community activities have included work with organizations supporting tenants, immigrants and rural students, including donating school supplies.¹ His congressional campaign emphasizes limiting corporate influence and making government spending more accountable.¹

Russell supports a universal Medicare system and argues that broader coverage would help keep rural healthcare facilities open.² He also wants Congress to reclaim tariff authority and use its war powers to end military action in Iran without congressional approval.² He faces Republican incumbent Bruce Westerman, who favors a different approach to insurance costs through his proposed Fair Care Act.²