Jason L. Williams of Sherwood, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, will seek the Democratic nomination for Arkansas’ Senate District 13 seat — currently held by term-limited state Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock — in 2026, Williams announced Tuesday.
The three other announced candidates are Democratic candidate Allison Grisby Sweatman of North Little Rock, who is a social worker and child advocate; and Republican candidates state Rep. Brandon Achor of Maumelle, a pharmacist, and Mischa Martin of Sherwood, a former state Department of Human Services official.
District 13 includes all of Maumelle and Morgan west of the Faulkner County line, and most of North Little Rock north of Interstate 40 and west of U.S. 67 up to Jacksonville to just below Little Rock Air Force base. The northern boundary is below the base and includes part of northern Pulaski County.
English has served in the state Senate since 2013 and previously served in the House of Representatives from 2009-2013. She is barred from seeking reelection next year under the state’s term limits amendment. In the 2022 general election, English survived a challenge from Sweatman, winning by more than eight percentage points.
The party filing period in Arkansas will be from Nov. 3-11 and the primary election will be March 3 for the 2026 election, according to the secretary of state’s office. The general election will be Nov. 3, 2026.
Williams said Tuesday in a news release he is committed to bringing the voice and expertise of the health care community to the state Legislature. He is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
“Arkansas families deserve a State Senator that understands the real challenges they face, especially when it comes to healthcare access and affordability,” Williams said in his news release. “As someone who works in healthcare every day, treating children and adolescents with mental health conditions at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I see firsthand the struggles our neighbors face. Our state legislature needs more voices from the healthcare community — people who understand what it’s like to care for patients and families in our communities.”
He said he believes his background in health care provides crucial insight into some of the most pressing issues facing Arkansas families, including mental health access for youth, health care costs and the well-being of communities across District 13.
“I’m running because I believe we can do better for the people of District 13,” Williams said in his news release. “We need practical solutions, not political rhetoric. We need leaders who listen to their constituents and fight for policies that actually improve people’s lives.”
He said he plans to focus on health care access, quality education, economic opportunity and supporting working families across the district. He said he emphasizes his commitment to representing all constituents regardless of political affiliation and working across the aisle to deliver results for District 13.
Throughout his career at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and UAMS, Williams has served in numerous capacities, including in the Burn Clinic, intensive care units, emergency department and as an ECMO Specialist, according to his news release. He currently serves as the immediate past president for the Little Rock Black Nurses Association of Arkansas and is an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., where he has held leadership roles.
He is 39 and married with one son.
In August, Sweatman, 36, announced her bid for the state Senate. At that time, she said in a news release she is running “because working families deserve a State Senator who puts them first.”
“As a mom raising two children, I know how hard it is to keep up with the rising cost of living, make ends meet, and still dream of a better future for our kids,” she said. “Too often, I hear from families in our district that no one is looking out for them. Arkansas politicians hand out tax breaks to the wealthy while our health care is cut, our kids’ public schools are underfunded, and working families are left struggling to get ahead. That has to change.”
In May, Achor, 36, announced his bid for the Republican nomination in Senate District 13. He has served in the state House of Representatives since 2023. He currently represents House District 71, which includes Maumelle and the surrounding north-central area of Pulaski County.
“I’m running for (the) State Senate to keep delivering for the people of District 13,” Achor said in May.
“I’ve lowered taxes, stood up to Foreign Adversaries, fought Big Tech’s overreach, and taken on big Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to protect Arkansas families and businesses. I’ll bring that same tenacity to the Senate to defend our freedoms and strengthen our communities,” he said.
In June, Martin, 43, announced her bid for the Republican nomination in Senate District 13.
“I’ve spent my career protecting children, serving families, and fixing broken systems,” she said in her news release when she announced her state Senate run. “Now, I’m ready to take that same servant leadership to the Senate to fight for the families, communities, and conservative values that make Arkansas strong.”
Martin worked for more than 15 years at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, including stints as director of the Division of Children and Family Services and as deputy secretary for youth and families.
The Arkansas Senate includes 28 Republicans and six Democrats with one vacancy.