Chase McDowell

McDowell was born in Texarkana, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University in 2016. His career experience includes serving as a consultant and chief financial officer.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My fellow Arkansans, and to all Americans who still believe in the promise of this great land:I make you a promise. Not to party bosses or powerful insiders,but to the people. To the farmers in the fields, the welders in the shops, the teachers shaping young minds, the truckers hauling America forward, to the single moms, and every American who still believes that hard work, faith, and grit can build something lasting.I pledge before God and country that I will always put you,and the future of this nation-first.Not the lobbyists. Not the global financiers. Not the party insiders who've forgotten what it means to work with calloused hands and humble hearts. I will rise every day with one question on my mind: "What can I do to build a stronger Arkansas, a freer America, and a better world I will work relentlessly to break down the bureaucratic barriers that choke out opportunity and smother innovation. I will push for bold ideas American-made energy, cuttingedge technologies, homegrown manufacturing, and smart, secure infrastructure that lifts every community, from the Delta to the Ozarks. I will fight for education that prepares our children not just for tests, but for life. I will guard your freedoms like a shepherd watches his flock tirelessly and without apology. This isn't about left or right. It's about forward. It's about a new generation of leadership that understands both struggle and sacrifice, that values both liberty and responsibility.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

America FirstFamily FirstEnergy first

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I fight for policies that put families first. America lost 70,000 factories while costs for energy, housing, and groceries soared. I believe in bringing jobs home, unleashing our energy, and making one paycheck enough to raise a family. Justice must be blind, borders secure, and life sacred. Freedom is God-given, not granted by politicians. My passion is simple: rebuild the middle class, restore pride in Made in America, and defend liberty for the next generation.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have been blessed in my life to have many examples of courage and conviction to look up to. At the top of that list is President Ronald Reagan. He taught us that optimism is not weakness, but strength. That America is a shining city on a hill, not because she is perfect, but because she is free. His steady faith in the American people, his belief in the power of freedom and limited government, and his refusal to let tyranny go unanswered continue to inspire me every single day.

I also look up to Reverend Billy Graham, a man who carried the Gospel with humility and conviction to millions. He reminded us that a life worth living is one anchored in faith, service, and love for others. He showed that true leadership begins with a servant’s heart, and that no office or title compares to the calling of living a life for God.

I look up to the soldiers who never came home. Men and women who traded their tomorrows for our today. Their sacrifice is the purest example of love for country and neighbor. Every step I take on this path, I take because they gave me the freedom to do so. Their courage demands that we live not in fear, but in gratitude and responsibility.

And I look up to the countless Americans who said “no” to evil in every era of our history. From those who stood against slavery, to those who fought fascism, to those today who refuse to bow to corruption or despair. Their voices remind me that America’s greatness has always come from ordinary people with extraordinary resolve.

These are the examples I want to follow. To speak with conviction, as Reagan did. To walk with faith, as Billy Graham did. To honor sacrifice, as our soldiers did. And to live with courage, as countless Americans before us have done. That is the kind of servant I hope to be.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The qualities that matter most in an elected official are not complicated, but they are rare. A true servant of the people must be anchored in principle, guided by faith, and unafraid to speak plain truth even when it cuts against the grain of power. They must remember that authority is borrowed from the people and answerable to God, not owned by party bosses or the wealthy elite.

An official worthy of the people’s trust carries three things: conviction, courage, and humility. Conviction to hold fast to what is right when the winds of politics blow every which way. Courage to confront entrenched interests and defend the forgotten men and women who built this nation. Humility to know that no one is greater than the office they hold and that every vote cast must honor the sacrifices of those who came before. Above all, they must believe in America, not as a slogan, but as a covenant. They must see this Republic not as a machine to be managed, but as a torch to be carried. Elected office is not about titles or trappings; it is about stewardship, liberty, prosperity, and the American Dream itself.

That is the kind of leader our times demand.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

An official must defend the Constitution as the North Star, protecting liberty and ensuring that government never grows so heavy that it crushes the spirit of the citizen. They must fight to make life more affordable, to keep America safe, and to open doors of opportunity for every family willing to work.

They are stewards of the nation’s prosperity guardians of sound finances, strong industries, and honest trade. They are charged with protecting the innocent, upholding justice, and making certain that America’s laws are fair, firm, and rooted in common sense.

Above all, they must lead with moral clarity. That means telling the truth when it hurts, making tough choices when it would be easier to punt them away, and remembering that every vote affects the lives of people back home the farmer in the field, the welder in the shop, the parent at the kitchen table.

The responsibility of this office is to lift burdens, not pile them on. To open doors, not close them. To pass on to the next generation a freer, stronger, and more confident America than the one we were given. That is the sacred trust of leadership.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be simple. That I put the Republic first. That I stood firm against toxic, anti-American rhetoric. That I was a champion for the American family. That I helped build this nation toward her fullest potential.

I do not want to be remembered as a politician chasing popularity, but as a statesman who chose principle over power. A man who did the right thing, even when it was hard. If, when my work is done, people can say I left America stronger and freer for the next generation, then I will have lived a life worthy of this Republic.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember September 11, 2001, the day the towers fell. I was just a child, but I knew the world had changed. The smoke, the fear, the silence in every home, it was unforgettable. But what I remember even more was how America answered. Neighbors stood together. Flags waved on every porch. Churches were filled with prayer. And brave men and women ran toward danger to save lives.

That day taught me that evil is real, freedom is fragile, and America’s strength is her people. When we are united, no force on earth can defeat us

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was one that taught me lessons no classroom ever could. During the summers in my highschool years, I worked for my grandfather as a shop hand, greasing trucks and learning the basics of mechanics. It was hot, dirty work, but it gave me a respect for machines, for hard labor, and most of all for the men and women who keep America moving.

After those long days in the shop, I would put on a different uniform and head to my second job working nights as a busboy. Clearing tables, washing dishes, and hustling to keep up in a busy restaurant taught me humility and endurance. It showed me that no honest work is beneath us, and that every role, no matter how small it may seem, has dignity and value.

Those early jobs instilled in me a lifelong respect for hard work and the people who do it. They reminded me that the American Dream is built one shift at a time, with calloused hands and determined hearts. And they gave me a foundation of grit, responsibility, and pride that I carry with me to this very day.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is actually a banned book To Kill a Mockingbird. I first read it as a young man, and it has stayed with me ever since. The story is more than words on a page; it is a mirror held up to the soul of America, reminding us of both our flaws and our greatness. What moves me most is the example of Atticus Finch. He stood for truth when it was unpopular, for justice when it was inconvenient, and for dignity when others chose anger or fear.

Atticus taught his children, and all of us, that real courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, but a man who knows he is beaten before he begins and yet begins anyway. That kind of courage is what built this country. It is the same spirit that led farmers to pick up muskets at Lexington, soldiers to storm the beaches of Normandy, and parents to work two jobs so their children could have a better life.

The book also reminds us of the importance of compassion. Atticus taught his daughter Scout to walk around in another person’s skin before judging them. That simple truth is timeless. America is strongest when we see one another not as enemies or rivals, but as neighbors and fellow citizens bound together in freedom.

I admire Atticus Finch because he represents the very best of what we hope for in a leader and in ourselves: honesty, fairness, courage, and an unshakable faith in doing what is right. If I can carry even a measure of that into public service, I will count it a worthy endeavor.

To Kill a Mockingbird is not just my favorite book; it is a reminder that character is destiny, and that America’s story will always be written by those willing to stand for justice with steady hands and hopeful hearts.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I could be any fictional character, I have to admit I am grateful for the life I have been given. I would not trade my story, my struggles, or the blessings God has placed in my path. But I am not going to say it would not be fun to step into the shoes of someone like Batman or Iron Man. They have some pretty cool toys.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I probably should not say this, but the truth is the grind of life has never been easy. All of the men in my family, my grandfathers and my own father, have carried burdens of debilitating ailments or accidents that thrust me to the front of the line of responsibility sooner than most. To watch men I saw as titans of strength, wisdom, and will brought low by sickness or injury was not just painful, it was humbling. It forced me to grow up quickly, to shoulder responsibilities that many my age never had to face.

Through it all, I have learned that I can carry anything because God carries the weight first. But it has been a struggle to navigate the maze of Medicare, to fight for care, and to watch proud men, who built their lives on hard work and grit, broken down before their time. That kind of struggle leaves a mark. It is not one I would wish on anyone.

And yet, in the loss I found vision. In the hardship I found drive. It gave me a fire to build a country where families do not have to fight tooth and nail just to care for those they love. Where our systems honor the dignity of every person instead of breaking them down. Where hard-working men and women can pass on their strength to their children without fear of being crushed by what they cannot control.

So yes, it has been a struggle. But it is also the source of my resolve. Out of that pain came the determination to make America better, stronger, and more faithful to her people. That struggle became the forge where my purpose was shaped.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House of Representatives is the people’s chamber, and that is what makes it unique among the institutions of our Republic. The Framers designed it to be the closest link between the citizen and the government, refreshed every two years so that those who serve never forget who they work for. It was built to be the people’s voice, not a castle for elites.

Unlike the Senate, which was meant to cool the passions of the day, the House was meant to carry the heartbeat of the nation. Every farmer, every teacher, every worker, and every small business owner ought to see their concerns echoed in its halls. That is why the Founders gave the House the power of the purse. No money leaves the Treasury, no dollar is spent, unless the people’s representatives first say so. They knew that taxation without representation was tyranny, and they placed the checkbook of the Republic in the hands of those most accountable to the voter.

The House is also where America’s great debates begin. It is noisy, it is messy, and it is often contentious, but that is what liberty sounds like. It is where ideas are tested, where the people’s will collides with the hard work of governing, and where the direction of the nation first takes shape.

At its best, the House is a mirror of the American spirit. It is made up of men and women from every corner of this land, from small towns and big cities, from the factories, the farms, and the front lines of daily life. That is what makes it unique. It is not designed to be distant, it is designed to be close.

When the House remembers this sacred role, it becomes what the Framers intended: the guardian of the people’s liberty, the steward of their resources, and the living voice of a free nation. That is its uniqueness, and that is its power.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

he genius of the House of Representatives is that it was designed to be filled by citizens who understand the struggles of their neighbors, not just the ways of Washington.

Of course, knowledge of how government works can help. I have over a decade of experience in politics, so I know the process, the pressure, and the pitfalls. That experience is useful because it allows me to hit the ground running, to navigate the rules and procedures, and to fight effectively for the people I serve. But let me be clear: while experience is valuable, it should never be a barrier to service.

What America needs most is not polished politicians who know how to play the game, but citizen leaders who remember why the game exists in the first place. Our Republic is healthiest when fresh voices step forward, bringing with them the perspective of the factory floor, the farm field, the small business, and the family table. That balance is what keeps our government honest and grounded.

When representatives have never lived outside the halls of power, they forget who they work for. When they come from the real world, they bring common sense, accountability, and humility into the chamber. That is not just beneficial, it is necessary for the health of the nation.

So yes, experience can help a representative do the job well. But what matters most is character, conviction, and connection to the people. In the end, America does not need more politicians. America needs more patriots willing to serve, to listen, and to fight for freedom.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

ChatGPT said:

America’s greatest challenge over the next decade is not simply one of policy, it is one of direction. Too many politicians believe our future lies in gambling on cryptocurrencies, outsourcing our industries, and bowing to machines of artificial intelligence. In their rush to chase the newest fad, they have abandoned the foundation that made this nation strong: the American worker, the American dollar, and the American dream.

We cannot surrender our sovereignty to code on a screen or to global bankers who see our people as nothing more than numbers in a ledger. A currency built on speculation is no replacement for the dollar backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Artificial intelligence may be a tool, but it can never be the beating heart of a free society. Our challenge is to harness innovation without allowing it to hollow out jobs, wages, and the dignity of work.

The real path forward is the same one our forefathers laid, a production based economy that makes and builds right here in America. Steel, energy, machinery, and technology made by American hands, under American law, for American prosperity. That is how we return to strength.

But economics alone will not save us. We must also restore patriotism, the belief that America is not just another country, but the last best hope of man on earth. For if we forget who we are, no currency, no technology, and no government program can fill the void.

Our challenge, and our duty, is to resist the temptation of shortcuts and recommit ourselves to hard work, honest money, and a renewed love of country. That is how we secure the next decade for freedom.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support them and have already made a pledge to my supporters that I will not hold this office for longer than ten years.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

The history of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is filled with men and women who stood tall when America needed them most. It was House Republicans who carried the banner of abolition, fought to secure the right of black men to vote, pushed for women to have their rightful place in the workforce and voting booth, and who worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of the past. Time and again, it was Republican hands in the people’s chamber that turned principle into progress.

It is hard to single out just one from a sea of many, but three stand as powerful examples. Thaddeus Stevens, who as a leading voice of the Radical Republicans fought without fear to end slavery and ensure equality under the law. Jeannette Rankin, the first woman ever elected to Congress, whose victory opened the door for generations of women to serve and lead. And Joseph Rainey, the first black American to serve in the House, who stood as living proof that liberty was expanding and that the Republican promise of freedom was real.

These representatives came from different walks of life and faced different battles, yet they all carried the same conviction that America must always push forward toward liberty, equality, and opportunity. To follow their example is to honor the Republican legacy of courage, justice, and patriotism in the very chamber designed to give voice to the people.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

There are many stories I have heard on the trail, but one stands above the rest. A mother came to me not long ago, and with tears in her eyes she said, “For the first time in years, I feel hope again. I feel like America is coming back. I do not wake up every morning dreading what the news will bring. I can dream for my children again.”

That struck me to my core. Because at the end of the day, that is all I want for every American family: the right to believe in tomorrow, to hold onto hope, to know that the sacrifices of today will build a brighter future for their children. That simple but powerful truth, that America can still be the land where dreams are not only possible but expected, is what drives me.

I know what it is like to struggle, to wonder if your hard work will ever be enough, to question whether faith alone can carry you through. And I know what it means when someone looks you in the eye and says, “I believe again.” That is bigger than politics. That is bigger than party. That is the heartbeat of this nation.

Every policy I fight for, energy independence, protecting American industry, defending families, restoring fairness, is aimed at one goal: to give people hope again. To make sure no mother has to wonder if her kids will grow up in a country that is weaker or poorer than the one she knew. America is not finished. Her best days are not behind her. And when one mother tells me she believes again, I know the flame of American greatness is still alive and waiting to burn brighter.

That story is a reminder of why I get up every day and press forward. It is a reminder that our fight is not about headlines or polling. It is about giving every family in this country the chance to dream, and to know their dreams are within reach.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Of course compromise is necessary in a nation as big and diverse as ours. The very design of our Republic demands it. Fifty states, hundreds of millions of people, and a Congress where no one man or woman gets everything they want. To govern is to work with others. But compromise must never mean surrendering the principles that make America what she is.

Our Founders debated fiercely, they argued, and then they compromised where they could without betraying their deepest convictions. They built a Constitution that balanced interests but never abandoned liberty. That is the model for us today.

Yes, we should reach across the aisle when it means building better roads, securing our borders, cutting waste, or strengthening families. Yes, we should listen to those who disagree with us when it means solving real problems for the American people. But we must never trade away the bedrock of this Republic. We must never compromise on freedom, on faith, on the value of hard work, or on the truth that government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

Compromise on the details, stand firm on the principles. That is how a free people chart their course. That is how you govern without losing your soul.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

he Framers, in their wisdom, placed the power of the purse directly into the hands of the House of Representatives. They knew that the people’s money should be guarded not by kings, not by elites, not by bureaucrats, but by the representatives closest to the citizens themselves. That is no accident of history. It is the very cornerstone of our Republic.

If entrusted with that duty, I see it as nothing less than a sacred responsibility to protect every hard-earned tax dollar. Government has no money of its own. Every dollar Washington spends was first earned by an American family, a worker, a farmer, a small business owner. That truth demands that we budget wisely, live within our means, and honor the sacrifices of the people we serve.

For me, that means fighting for a balanced budget so we stop piling mountains of debt on the backs of our children. It means leading with strong capitalism, unleashing the power of free markets, and refusing to let Washington play the dangerous game of picking winners and losers in the private sector. When government tilts the scales, the people always lose. When government gets out of the way, the people thrive.

The House was designed to be the guardian of fiscal responsibility and the defender of the people’s purse. That is the role I will take seriously every single day. I believe, as President Reagan once reminded us, that government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem. Our duty is to make sure that every decision we make honors the sweat and sacrifice of the American taxpayer and keeps alive the promise of freedom for generations to come.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The power of investigation is one of the most serious responsibilities entrusted to the House of Representatives. Our Founders gave it not as a tool for political theater, but as a safeguard of liberty. The House must use this power to shine light into the dark corners of government, to hold officials accountable, and to make sure the people’s trust is never betrayed.

I believe oversight should always serve the cause of freedom, not the interests of a party. Investigations must be driven by facts, not vendettas, and by a commitment to truth, not headlines. When Americans see corruption, waste, or abuse of power, they deserve a Congress that will not look away. They deserve representatives who will ask the tough questions, demand straight answers, and act with courage when wrongs are uncovered.

For me, that means ensuring every tax dollar is spent wisely, exposing backroom deals that put special interests above the public good, and making certain that no unelected bureaucrat wields power that belongs to the people. It also means protecting our institutions from those who would twist them into weapons of politics.

The House must be a watchdog for the Republic, never a lapdog for the powerful. Its investigations should restore faith in government by proving that no one, no matter how high or mighty, is above the law. That is how we keep America strong, free, and worthy of the trust her citizens place in us.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

One story I will never forget came from a mother who pulled me aside one evening after a town hall. With tears in her eyes, she told me, “For the first time in years, I feel hope again. I feel like America is coming back. I do not wake up every morning fearing what the news will bring. I can dream again for my children.”

That struck me to my core. Because at the end of the day, that is all I want for the American people: the ability to hope, to dream, and to believe in tomorrow. We are not a nation built on fear. We are a nation built on faith, on grit, and on the promise that hard work and courage can create a brighter future.

Her words reminded me that public service is not about headlines or political points. It is about people, families who want to believe that the sacrifices of today will give their children something better tomorrow. When one mother tells me she feels hope again, I know the fire of American greatness still burns strong.

That story stays with me, and it fuels my determination to make sure every family can feel that same sense of hope and possibility.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One accomplishment I am especially proud of is a reminder of how far God’s grace and hard work can carry a person in this country. I grew up in a small town in Arkansas, in a mobile home, the son and grandson of working men who taught me that nothing in life comes easy and nothing worth having is ever handed to you. By every measure, I was just a poor boy from humble beginnings, but I carried with me a deep belief that in America, if you work hard, stand on principle, and never quit, doors can open that once seemed impossible.

In 2019, at just 25 years old, I was invited to the White House to discuss health care. For me, that was not just a personal milestone, it was a symbol of what this nation makes possible. To walk through those gates, to sit in the people’s house, and to have a voice in one of the great debates of our time was proof that America still rewards grit and determination.

I did not arrive there by wealth or privilege. I arrived because I refused to give up on the calling to serve others and to speak for those whose voices are too often ignored. That moment gave me a sense of responsibility greater than myself. It reminded me that the struggles of my upbringing were not burdens, but blessings that prepared me to stand in rooms I never imagined I would enter.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The role of government in artificial intelligence must be clear, limited, and rooted in the principles that built this nation. The genius of America has always come from the private sector, from free minds and free markets daring to innovate. Government’s first duty is not to smother that spirit with red tape, but to let it flourish. The private sector should lead the way in developing AI, driving progress, creating jobs, and ensuring America remains the world’s leader in innovation.

At the same time, government cannot stand idle when it comes to our national defense. AI will be a cornerstone of modern security, and if America does not lead, our adversaries surely will. We must harn