Steve
G. Parsons
Libertarian economist and consultant challenging for Arkansas's 1st Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Steve G. Parsons is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. House, Arkansas's 1st Congressional District, in the November 3, 2026 general election. He lives in Lakeview, Arkansas, where he has resided since 2016. 514
Parsons describes himself as a "virtually retired consultant" and economist. His biography states he grew up working in his family's business, later consulted for clients around the world, and taught "the Economics of Technology" to graduate engineering students at Washington University in St. Louis for more than 20 years. 314
A candidate profile lists a B.S. (1977) and a Ph.D. in economics (1982), with undergraduate institutions noted as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of California, and Southern Oregon University. 114
Parsons received the Libertarian Party nomination at its February 2026 convention and is not the incumbent. He previously ran for Arkansas House District 3 in 2022 but was defeated. No source indicates he has held elected office. 1511
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Arkansas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Virtually retired consultant
- Website
- steveparsonslibertarian.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 14debateParsons scheduled to debate Crawford and Green at Arkansas TV debate in Conway
According to reporting from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Parsons was scheduled along with Republican incumbent Rick Crawford and Democrat Terri Yarbrough Green to participate in an Arkansas TV debate in Conway at 11 a.m. on October 14, 2026.
Arkansas State University’s livestream of 1st Congressional District debate ends early over technical issues | Arkansas Democrat Gazette · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9debateParsons outlines Libertarian platform at ASU-TV debate: less government, no campaign donations, salary to charity
Coverage of the ASU-TV debate reported Parsons's focus on 'less government and more freedom.' He proposed eliminating $181 billion in annual corporate welfare, reducing federal regulations, shifting surveillance authority to local municipalities, opposing a federal minimum wage hike, and 'neutering the Federal Reserve.' He stated he had accepted no campaign donations and would donate his entire salary to local charities if elected.
Green and Parsons Discuss Economy, Privacy in District 1 Debate on ASU-TV - Jonesboro Right Now · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsParsons calls for ending war in Iran, eliminating tariffs, and easing farm labor visa rules
In an Arkansas Times report on the 1st District race, Parsons said he wanted to end U.S. involvement in the Iran war, eliminate international tariffs, and criticized USMCA regulations for raising prices. He said he supported neither Farm Bill version discussed and cited ending trade wars and easing green card and work visa bureaucracy as ways to help farmers. The Cook Political Report and Sabato rated the district 'safely Republican.'
Fuel prices, tariffs weigh heavily in east Arkansas' US ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsArkansas Democrat-Gazette covers debate; notes Crawford, Green, and Parsons scheduled for Oct. 14 Arkansas TV debate
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported on the ASU-TV debate between Green and Parsons, and noted that all three candidates—Crawford, Green, and Parsons—were scheduled to participate in an Arkansas TV debate in Conway on October 14 at 11 a.m.
Democrat Green, Libertarian Parsons share spotlight during 1st District debate | Arkansas Democrat Gazette · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateParsons and Green debate on ASU-TV; Crawford absent; livestream ends early due to technical issues
Parsons and Democrat Terri Yarbrough Green participated in a debate hosted by Arkansas State University's student TV station. Republican incumbent Rick Crawford did not attend. The livestream suffered missing audio and ended early. Parsons called Crawford 'the elephant not in the room' and noted both he and Green chose to attend to explain their positions. The station planned to post the full debate online.
Arkansas State University’s livestream of 1st Congressional District debate ends early over technical issues | Arkansas Democrat Gazette · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 13filingSteve Parsons listed as 2026 Arkansas District 1 Libertarian candidate on VoteWiser
Parsons appears as the Libertarian Party nominee for AR-01 in the 2026 election cycle on the VoteWiser candidate directory.
Steve Parsons - 2026 Arkansas District 1 Candidate · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 12newsParsons identified as Libertarian candidate in Arkansas's 1st Congressional District race
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that incumbent Rick Crawford faces two challengers, including Libertarian Steve G. Parsons, in the November 3, 2026 general election for Arkansas's 1st Congressional District.
Incumbent, two challengers vie to represent Arkansas' 1st ... · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Arkansas Libertarian Party organizationParsons received the party's nomination at its February 2026 convention in Little Rock; listed as his sole endorsement on iVoterGuide. No exact date given. mhobserver.com · Feb 1, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H4AR01085(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Democrat Green, Libertarian Parsons share spotlight during 1st District debate | Arkansas Democrat Gazette(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Fuel prices, tariffs weigh heavily in east Arkansas' US ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Green and Parsons Discuss Economy, Privacy in District 1 Debate on ASU-TV - Jonesboro Right Now(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Arkansas State University’s livestream of 1st Congressional District debate ends early over technical issues | Arkansas Democrat Gazette(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] Steve Parsons(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [6] Steve Parsons - 2026 Arkansas District 1 Candidate(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [7] Incumbent, two challengers vie to represent Arkansas' 1st ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [8] Lakeview economist enters District 1 congressional race as Libertarian(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2026
- [9] Steve Parsons, Ph.D. announces run for U.S. Congress District 1(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2026