Robert Jones is running as an independent for U.S. Senate in Tennessee's Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Jones said in our candidate questionnaire that this is his first time seeking public office.

Asked why he is running, Jones said in our questionnaire: "I'm running because I want my daughter to inherit a government she can trust and a society that she can feel safe living within—and every family deserves the same."

Nine other candidates are also in the race, according to BallotReady election data. They are Bill Hagerty (Republican), Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic), Andrew Gerena, Catherine Barcel Whitson, David Sutman Jr., James William Macon III, Jeremy Dean Hearn, Tharon Chandler and Yoshi D. Matthews, all independents.

Candidate information

Party: Independent

Family: Jones said in our questionnaire: "My wife, Dr. Brooke Jones, is a veterinarian, and we have a seven-year-old daughter, Andi. We live in Upper East Tennessee, where our lives center on family, community, our veterinary practices, and caring for animals."

Education: Jones said in our questionnaire: "I hold a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Newcastle (NSW Australia), a master's degree in Military History from Austin Peay, an MBA from ETSU, and a BBA-Corporate Finance also from ETSU."

Occupation: Jones said in our questionnaire: "I am an educator, small-business owner, archaeologist, and director of a nonprofit. … My wife and I currently operate two veterinary practices … I also direct a nonprofit that rescues neglected and abused farm animals."

Campaign donations: Jones said on his campaign issues page that he will not accept campaign donations. "Instead of sending me your hard-earned money, I will encourage you to donate to your favorite local non-profits," Jones said.

Experience and public service

Jones said in our questionnaire that he has no previous elected or appointed office. Asked about qualifications, he said: "Completing a doctorate required sustained research, careful evaluation of conflicting evidence, and the discipline to defend conclusions under scrutiny."

On his campaign's about page, Jones said he started his business life at 17 by running a small snack shop in a seasonal Tennessee mountain retreat. Jones also said he survived a cancer diagnosis while living in Tennessee.

On the issues

Top priority — government accountability: Jones said in our questionnaire: "The Senate's most important task is rebuilding public trust through enforceable accountability." He said he would introduce "an accountability package focused on conflicts of interest, financial transparency, lobbying disclosures, whistleblower protections, and meaningful enforcement." The package, Jones said, "should prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks …"

Health care: Jones said in our questionnaire: "As a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, I know that access to treatment is deeply personal." He said he supports "expanding Medicare's drug-price negotiation authority, increasing competition from generics and biosimilars …"

Economy and cost of living: Jones said in our questionnaire he would support "legislation expanding incentives for affordable housing construction and rehabilitation, particularly in rural communities" and "stronger enforcement against price-fixing and anticompetitive conduct."

Immigration: Jones said in our questionnaire: "We need secure borders, workable immigration laws, and consistent due process. Congress should stop treating this as a permanent campaign issue and establish clear rules that can be administered fairly without political influence."

Iran and national security: Jones said in our questionnaire: "I would oppose an open-ended military campaign or occupation. Any continued combat role should have explicit congressional authorization, narrowly defined objectives … and an expiration date requiring a new vote."

Federal spending: Jones said in our questionnaire: "Fiscal responsibility requires examining spending and revenue honestly. We cannot promise everything, cut revenue indefinitely, and assume the debt will resolve itself."

Candidate responses were collected through the Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire. All policy positions and biographical claims are attributed to the candidate.