Jeff
Wadlin
Libertarian challenger Jeff Wadlin is running for U.S. Senate in Arkansas in the November 2026 election.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 21
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Jeff Wadlin is a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in Arkansas, running in the November 3, 2026 general election. He describes himself as an engineer and businessman; his campaign biography states he studied aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Virginia and earned an MBA from Northwestern University, though no graduation years are provided. 4
According to his campaign biography, Wadlin's career included roles at Caterpillar and Capital One, co-founding an Illinois auto-parts salvage company, launching a product-development firm, and leading nationwide Membership at Sam's Club before starting a consulting business. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, and settled in Bentonville, Arkansas, where he raised his family. 4
Wadlin has previously sought elected office, including runs for Justice of the Peace and City Council (years not specified in his biography), as well as a 2018 bid for the Libertarian nomination for U.S. House. The FEC classifies him as a challenger in his current Senate race. 410 He was included in upcoming U.S. Senate debates as of August 2026. 6
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Arkansas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- jeffwadlin.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 10newsArkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Wadlin has launched statewide outreach tour
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Wadlin had put 'Jeff Wadlin U.S. Senate' on his pickup truck and begun a statewide outreach tour to introduce himself to Arkansas voters as a third option in the Senate race.
Libertarian Jeff Wadlin eager to show Arkansas voters a third option for U.S. Senate · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9pollGrayHouse poll shows Wadlin at 4% in Arkansas U.S. Senate race
A GrayHouse poll of 550 likely voters, fielded September 30–October 4, showed Republican Tom Cotton at 50%, Democrat Hallie Shoffner at 39%, and Wadlin at 4%, with 7% undecided or other. The poll was identified as conducted by a Republican pollster.
Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "GrayHouse poll · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4debateReport: Cotton declined debate invitations involving Wadlin; two Wadlin debates still upcoming
News From The States reported that Cotton had declined invitations to the public-television and Arkansas State University debates that included Wadlin and Shoffner, instead opting for a Salem Media debate. The two Wadlin-Shoffner debates were still scheduled as of the report.
Debates used to mean something in Arkansas politics. Now they're an afterthought. · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30debateArkansas public-TV debate featuring Wadlin and Shoffner announced for October 12
Arkansas's public television station announced a debate between Wadlin and Democrat Hallie Shoffner scheduled for October 12 in Conway. Republican incumbent Tom Cotton was not included. A second Wadlin-Shoffner debate was also scheduled for October 22 at Arkansas State University's student-led station.
Arkansas TV announces lineup for state, federal debates next month · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsWadlin profiled by Axios, outlines Libertarian platform and campaign pitch
Axios published an interview and policy profile of Wadlin. He described his campaign motto as 'It's not us versus them; it's just us,' and outlined positions including universal health coverage through a public-private system, balanced budgets, gun rights, stronger antitrust enforcement, opposition to broad tariffs, and diplomacy-first policy on Iran. He said he was courting independents and voters dissatisfied with Cotton.
Libertarian candidate Jeff Wadlin runs for U.S. Senate · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Arkansas Libertarian Party organizationThe Arkansas Libertarian Party nominated Wadlin for U.S. Senate. This is a nomination rather than a separately identified endorsement, but it is the only relevant party action found in the sources. jeffwadlin.com · Feb 18, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $29K
- Spent
- $20K
- Cash on hand
- $8,469
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6AR00223(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Libertarian Jeff Wadlin eager to show Arkansas voters a third option for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "GrayHouse poll(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Issues | Join the Movement for Change — Jeff Wadlin For U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Debates used to mean something in Arkansas politics. Now they're an afterthought.(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] Arkansas TV announces lineup for state, federal debates next month(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] Libertarian candidate Jeff Wadlin runs for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [7] In the News(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026