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Tom Cotton
Politicians/Tom Cotton
Tom Cotton (R)
Senator (AR)
Running for re-electionU.S. Senate · AR · Nov 3, 2026
About Tom Cotton

About Tom Cotton

Meet Tom.

Tom Cotton was born and raised on his family's cattle farm in Yell County, he served as an Army infantry officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he fights for Arkansas's conservative values in the U.S. Senate.

Arkansas's Conservative Values

Born in Yell County.

Raised on the farm.

Tom Cotton is a sixth-generation Arkansan who was born and raised on his family's cattle farm in Yell County.

He graduated from Dardanelle High School before going on to Harvard and Harvard Law School. After clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and spending a short time in private law practice, Tom’s life took a different turn.

Called to serve

After 9/11, Tom answered the call.

The tragic attacks of September 11, 2001 occurred during Tom's final year of law school and changed his life's trajectory.

Tom joined the United States Army as an Infantry Officer, spending nearly five years on active duty. He completed combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, serving with the 101st Airborne and a Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Between his two combat tours he served as a platoon leader with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery — the unit responsible for military honors funerals.

Your United States Senator

Fighting for Arkansas.

Tom Cotton has served in Congress and the Senate and fights for Arkansas's values every day.

As the third-ranking Republican Senator, Tom Cotton uses his influence to deliver defense investments for Arkansas, lower taxes for Arkansans, and to advance Arkansas’s conservative values like deporting illegal aliens, stopping DEI and trans surgeries for kids, and rebuilding our military.

Delivering for Arkansas

From day one.

Tom has fought the tough battles for Arkansans and Americans, and he's delivered real results in the Senate.

Sourced verbatim from tomcotton.com
Role Summary

Members of the Senate are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing their state, and providing a check on executive power. Key powers include confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, serving on committees, shaping the federal budget, and conducting impeachment trials. Each senator serves a six-year term and represents their entire state.

Quick Facts
Party
Republican
Votes with party
100% · avg 97%
Age
49
Religion
Methodist
Birthplace
Dardanelle, AR
Residence
Dardanelle, AR
Born
May 13, 1977
Family
Wife: Anna; 2 Children: Gabriel, Daniel
Contact
202-224-2353Contact Formwww.cotton.senate.gov
Election Info
DistrictJunior Seat, AR
Current Term01/06/2015 — Present
First Elected11/04/2014
Last Elected11/03/2020
Next Senator Election2026
Education
JD
Harvard Law School
1999-2002
Attended
Claremont Graduate University, California
1998-1999
AB, Government
Harvard University
1995-1999
Political Career3
Senator
United States Senate, Arkansas
2015-present
Representative
United States House of Representatives, Arkansas
2013-2015
Senate Republican Conference Chair
United States Senate
2025-present
Professional Background6
Attorney
Cooper & Kirk
2004
Attorney
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
2003-2004
Judicial Clerk
United States Court of Appeals
2002-2003
Management Consultant
McKinsey & Company
2010-2011
Served
United States Army Reserve
2010-2013
Captain
United States Army
2005-2009
Organizations2
United Methodist Church
Member
Editorial Board, Harvard Crimson
Member
Committees11
Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Joint Economic Committee
Select Committee on Intelligence
Subcommittee on Airland
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Subcommittee on Energy
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Recent votes5
S 4668Protect College Sports Act of 2026Voted YesHR 3633Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act)Voted YesHR 6500Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027Voted YesHR 5334Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025Voted YesS J Res 187A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)"Voted No
Quick Facts
Party
Republican
Votes with party
100% · avg 97%
Age
49
Religion
Methodist
Birthplace
Dardanelle, AR
Residence
Dardanelle, AR
Born
May 13, 1977
Family
Wife: Anna; 2 Children: Gabriel, Daniel
Contact
202-224-2353Contact Formwww.cotton.senate.gov