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Jeff Wadlin

Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, Arkansas · Challenger

Strategy consultant / business owner (Bentonville)

Jeff Wadlin is a businessman from Bentonville who owns a consulting business and has worked at Caterpillar, Capital One and Sam's Club. He won the Libertarian Party convention nomination unopposed on February 22, 2026, and launched his general election campaign on May 19, 2026. He calls himself an independent and a centrist, and says he ran on the Libertarian ticket because it qualified him for the ballot automatically, without the signature-gathering that unaffiliated candidates must do.

Where Wadlin stands

Cost of living / economy

Says Arkansas's middle class is being squeezed. Supports policies to lower costs, raise wages and 'build ladders into the middle class' through practical reforms rather than what he calls permanent dependence.

Debates

Took part in the Oct. 12 Arkansas TV debate and criticized Sen. Cotton for not attending. Says Cotton agreed to debate Shoffner but not him, and that he was left out of the Salem Media debate offer.

Partisanship / governing approach

Calls himself a centrist and 'Arkansas-first independent.' Argues that both major parties put culture-war fights ahead of economic interests and 'somehow' work together to produce bad outcomes.

Background

• Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, Arkansas (convention, Feb. 22, 2026); no prior elected office found
• Owner of a consulting business; previously worked at Caterpillar, Capital One and Sam's Club
• B.S., mechanical engineering, University of Virginia (also studied aerospace engineering)
• MBA, Northwestern University
• Born in Richmond, Virginia; lives in Bentonville, Arkansas

In the news

• US Senate candidates campaign for seat | Arkansas Election Guide 2026 5NEWS (KFSM), October 23, 2026
• Debate in Arkansas' US Senate race won't take place, Cotton and Shoffner campaigns say Arkansas Advocate, October 14, 2026
• Cotton's absence takes center stage at debate between Arkansas' US Senate candidates Arkansas Advocate, October 12, 2026

Also running for U.S. Senate

• Tom Cotton Republican
• Hallie Shoffner Democratic

Sources

• Ballotpedia – U.S. Senate election in Arkansas, 2026
• Arkansas Times – campaign kickoff (May 19, 2026)
• KAIT – Libertarian candidate announces bid (May 19, 2026)
• Libertarian Party candidate page
• Talk Business & Politics – debate coverage
• Arkansas Advocate – debate coverage

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.