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About James Richard

Known by friends and family as “Rus,” James Russell is running for Congress in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. James and his wife, Wendy, have lived in the greater central Arkansas region for over 25 years and have owned and operated their outpatient mental health business in Little Rock since 2014. Born in Bossier City, LA, James spent his youth balancing life between urban Louisiana(Shreveport/Bossier City), where his mother’s family lived, and rural Arkansas (Lewisville), where his father’s family has resided since the 1800s. He is a former resident of Magnolia, AR who lived and worked throughout the 4th District, interacting with people from all walks of life. This unique combination of big city and small town exposure was pivotal during his formative years, providing him with insight into the contrasting ways of life.

He is a proud graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where he specialized in a combined Pre-Med/Pre-Law curriculum with an emphasis on Ethics, Politics, and Law.

James comes from a family with a rich history of military service. He enlisted in the AR National Guard as a Nuclear, Biological, Radiological, and Chemical Warfare Specialist attached to a TOW missile company as a MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) gear special quartermaster. His brother served as an MP in the US Army before moving into service with the DEA, while his father is a Vietnam veteran who worked in logistics for the US Army. His paternal grandfather served in the Merchant Marines during WWII, and his maternal grandfather served in both WWII and the Korean War, achieving the rank of Lt Colonel in the US ARMY Signal Corps before transitioning into a political career in Oklahoma.

James’s career in public service continued as a Physician Credentialing Specialist for the Arkansas State Medical Board, where he routinely exceeded expectations while also taking on additional roles such as Assistant Director for JCAHO compliance, Assistant Director for HIPAA compliance, Chief Liaison to the IT Department, Co-Facilities Manager, and Director of the Centralized Credentialing Verification Service (CCVS) Trainee Program. Following this, he worked for Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a Medical Staff Coordinator, serving on all Executive Committees including Bioethics, Emergency Response, Policies & Procedures, and several others.

James officially entered politics in 2021 when he ran for Governor of Arkansas in the Democratic Primary for the 2022 cycle, managing one of the lowest-budget campaigns in history. He made significant waves in the political landscape by overperforming, achieving the highest vote-per-dollar-spent ratio ever. Drawing upon his Big City/Small Town upbringing, he is unapologetically Progressive while also being a Fiscal Realist. He is committed to fighting against the influence of corporations and the ultra-wealthy over our politicians and institutions, advocating for legislation that closes tax loopholes and ensures these entities contribute fairly to the society from which they benefit. He believes in maximizing the value from every dollar spent, demanding full transparency and accountability from all facets of government. James recognizes that many issues focus more on distraction than action, often ignoring the needs of those they are sworn to serve, and instead seeks to strengthen our bonds as a nation.

James has a longstanding commitment to working with individuals and groups that support the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community. He is a lifetime member of the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus and supports various organizations including Arkansas Renters United, Arkansas United, The Prism Foundation, Get Loud Arkansas, and Young Democrats of Arkansas. He has also donated school supplies to numerous rural Arkansas students, including the Marshallese community. Both James and his wife remain dedicated to assisting those in need through their professional and personal efforts.

On the Issues

Putting People First

  • Politics today are messed up. Some politicians only care about fame, money, and power. But that’s not what the job is about.
  • Leaders should listen to the people, not hide from them. They should go to town halls, not just big money events.
  • A good leader stands up for the people, follows the Constitution, and works with others to make life better for everyone—not just the rich or powerful.

Economic Fairness

  • Big companies are making record profits, but workers’ pay hasn’t kept up. That’s not right.
  • The cost of living keeps going up—housing, groceries, and everything else. But the minimum wage hasn’t gone up to match.
  • We need fair laws that raise wages, make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work, and treat all workers fairly.
  • This will help working families now and build a stronger, more fair economy for the future.

Fighting Corruption

  • For years, the rich and powerful have taken more and more, while the rest of us struggle. That’s not fair, and it needs to change.
  • We need to give power back to regular people—not let billionaires and big corporations run everything.
  • That means making taxes fairer. Working people should pay less, and the rich should pay their fair share. We also need to close tax loopholes and stop the games the super-rich use to avoid paying taxes.
  • They made their money off our work. It’s only right they help pay to fix the problems we all face.

Better Healthcare and Prescription Coverage

  • Americans pay way more for healthcare than people in other countries—but we get worse results.
  • Most people get insurance through their jobs, but it’s often expensive, confusing, and doesn’t cover enough.
  • We can fix this by expanding Medicare and moving toward healthcare for everyone. That means lower costs, better care, and fewer people falling through the cracks.

Education and Job Training

  • Learning is key to keeping our country free and strong.
  • The world is changing fast. People need good information—and the skills to tell facts from lies.
  • We need to make sure everyone can get a good, free education. That includes college or job training, so people can get good jobs and help lead the future.

Equal Rights And Opportunities for All

  • America was built on the idea of fairness and justice for all. It’s time we make that real.
  • We need strong laws that treat everyone equally—no matter their gender, income, or background.
  • That means fair pay, equal rights, bodily autonomy, and protecting people from hate, while still respecting free speech.

Fix the Housing Crisis

  • Housing in America has become too expensive. Many young people can’t afford to buy a home, and homelessness keeps growing.
  • We need to stop big companies from buying up homes and raising rent too high.
  • We should also count rent payments when people apply for a mortgage, so more folks can buy a home.
  • And by adding a small tax on the super-rich—the top 0.1%—we can help end homelessness for good.

Protecting Our Environment and Natural Resources

  • Arkansas is known as The Natural State because of its rich natural beauty.
  • We should lead the country in protecting the environment and growing ecotourism.
  • To achieve this, we must protect our natural resources from toxic industrial runoff and harmful chemical use.
  • We need to invest in a clean energy future that uses multiple sources to stay safe and strong.