Robert Jones is running as an Independent for U.S. Senate in Tennessee in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. This is his first time seeking public office, Jones said in our candidate questionnaire.

Asked why he is running, Jones said: "Polarization, misinformation, and corruption have damaged our ability to solve problems together. … We need foundational changes in public service: enforceable ethical standards, meaningful safeguards against corruption, transparent decision-making, and representatives who show up and listen."

Jones is one of 10 candidates in the race. The others are Bill Hagerty (Republican), Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic), Andrew Gerena (Independent), Catherine Barcel Whitson (Independent), David Sutman Jr. (Independent), James William Macon III (Independent), Jeremy Dean Hearn (Independent), Tharon Chandler (Independent) and Yoshi D. Matthews (Independent), according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

Residence: Upper East Tennessee

Family: "My wife, Dr. Brooke Jones, is a veterinarian, and we have a seven-year-old daughter, Andi," Jones said in our questionnaire.

Education: Jones said he holds "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." He also said he holds a certificate in strategic management.

Occupation: "I am an educator, small-business owner, archaeologist, and director of a nonprofit," Jones said. He said he and his wife "currently operate two veterinary practices" and that he also directs "a nonprofit that rescues neglected and abused farm animals."

Previous elected office: None.

Party affiliation: Independent. Jones said he is "running independently and accepting no campaign donations."

On the issues

Government accountability: Asked about his top Senate priority, Jones said: "The Senate's most important task is rebuilding public trust through enforceable accountability. Every other policy depends on people being able to trust the government making and implementing it." He said he would introduce "an accountability package focused on conflicts of interest, financial transparency, lobbying disclosures, whistleblower protections, and meaningful enforcement." He added that it "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. People should not have to choose between necessary care and financial survival." He said he supports "expanding Medicare's drug-price negotiation authority, increasing competition from generics and biosimilars, and requiring meaningful transparency from insurers, hospitals, and pharmacy benefit managers."

Economy and cost of living: Jones said 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." He said every proposal "should identify its funding, expected benefits, and measures of success."

Immigration: Jones said: "Congress should stop treating this as a permanent campaign issue and establish clear rules that can be administered fairly without political influence." He said he supports "a structured opportunity for qualifying long-term residents, particularly people brought here as children, to come forward."

Federal spending: Jones said he supports "simplifying tax compliance for families and small businesses, closing unjustified loopholes, and ensuring that similarly situated taxpayers receive comparable treatment." He said he would "reject indiscriminate cuts that shift larger costs onto families or weaken essential services."

Iran and national security: Jones said he would "oppose an open-ended military campaign or occupation" and that "any continued combat role should have explicit congressional authorization, narrowly defined objectives, regular public reporting consistent with operational security, and an expiration date requiring a new vote."

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire. Answers have been excerpted for length and are presented in the candidate's own words.