Senator Tom Cotton Launches 2026 Re-Election Bid with Emphasis on National Security

FIRST ON FOX: Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Republican Conference and the Select Committee on Intelligence, has announced his intention to run for re-election in Arkansas in 2026. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Cotton elaborated on his strategy to bolster the Republican majority in Congress while enhancing his focus on national security, particularly concerning the threat posed by communist China.

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of Arkansas in the United States Senate,” Cotton stated. He highlighted several significant achievements accomplished by the GOP during his tenure.

The Arkansas Republican enters his re-election campaign with a substantial war chest, boasting over $8 million in cash across his campaign and leadership accounts. This amount is more than three times what he had available for his successful 2020 campaign, where he triumphed over his opponent decisively.

Cotton’s campaign has garnered considerable grassroots support, amassing approximately 135,000 donations from tens of thousands of residents across all 75 counties in Arkansas.

Key Endorsements Bolster Campaign

Cotton secured the endorsements of all statewide officials in Arkansas, including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General Tim Griffin, Secretary of State Cole Jester, Treasurer John Thurston, Auditor of State Dennis Milligan, and Land Commissioner Tommy Land. All of these officials are Republicans.

He also received backing from his fellow congressional Republicans, which includes Senator John Boozman and Representatives Rick Crawford, Steve Womack, French Hill, and Bruce Westerman—all of whom represent Arkansas in Washington, D.C.

His campaign advisor, Brian Colas, emphasized Cotton’s strong support among Arkansans. “Senator Cotton is fortunate to have overwhelming support from Arkansans who recognize that he has fought and delivered for conservative values,” Colas said in a statement.

Bipartisan Support from Fellow Senators

Cotton’s endorsements extend to several GOP senators with whom he serves, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming, and Senators Tim Sheehy of Montana, Jim Banks of Indiana, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt of Alabama.

Senator Sheehy praised Cotton, stating, “As a fellow combat veteran, Tom Cotton’s entire career has been about serving the American people, whether it was on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan or at home in Congress. As chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, he is a tireless warrior for the America First agenda, fighting to secure the border and rebuild our military while bringing down costs and restoring common sense in D.C. I’m proud to give him my endorsement.”

Senator Tuberville expressed similar sentiments, noting Cotton’s deep roots in Camden, Arkansas. “Tom’s a conservative fighter who puts America first. He is tough on crime, strong on national security, and understands the Constitution. I’m honored to serve alongside Senator Cotton and look forward to his continued leadership in the Republican Party for years to come,” Tuberville added.

Agenda for the Next Term

Cotton has focused a significant portion of his Senate career on countering Democratic policies. However, he expressed optimism for the future, stating, “I’m very excited now. We have a chance for at least the next four years with President Trump and a Republican Congress to get our state and our nation back on track.”

First elected to the Senate in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, Cotton is now aiming for his third consecutive term. With the Republicans holding a trifecta of power in Washington, D.C., he expects to implement crucial policies that may not be achievable under Democratic leadership.

Reflecting on his experiences, he said, “I’ve been in the majority. I’ve been in the minority. It’s much better to be in the majority.” Cotton’s confidence in maintaining Republican dominance was evident as he noted, “I’m very confident that we’re not just going to keep our majority in the Senate, but we’re going to grow our majority next year,” particularly regarding the 2026 Senate election map.

Highlighting National Security Concerns

Recently, Cotton has also focused public attention on his newly released book titled “Seven Things You Can’t Say About China,” which has quickly gained recognition as a No. 1 New York Times bestseller. He commented, “Most Americans have a rightly low opinion of Communist China. However bad you think the Chinese Communist Party is, or dangerous it is to America, it’s actually much worse.”

Cotton believes that the success of his book reflects the significant level of concern among Americans, particularly Arkansans, regarding communist China. He intends for the themes outlined in his book to be a principal element of his re-election campaign.

Looking Ahead with Determination

As Senator Cotton prepares for the challenges of the upcoming election cycle, he remains dedicated to representing the interests of Arkansas residents. With strong financial backing, bipartisan endorsements, and a focused agenda on national security, Cotton’s campaign is positioned to make a significant impact in the 2026 Senate race.