Catholic High School teacher and political activist Paul Spencer will formally move his candidacy from exploratory to official in his bid for Arkansas’ Second District Congressional seat. U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, currently holds the seat.

Spencer, a Democrat, will hold a campaign kick-off rally at MacArthur Park in Little Rock on Saturday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m.

“We now stand at a crossroads. For years, we have seen the political priorities of ordinary Americans drown in a sea of special interest money from the political donor class. But now, if the Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell Healthcare agenda passes, many people will find themselves one pre-existing condition away from financial ruin. Moreover, this may be followed by cruel tax and budget proposals, likely to be rubber-stamped by the Republican majority. Arkansans now stand to suffer real physical and material harm at the hands of the 115th Congress,” Spencer said.

“It is time to look to a new era of representation in Arkansas that rejects public-policy cronyism and works for the citizens. The growing number of voters in Arkansas’s Second District who disagree with these priorities will now have a voice that speaks for them,” he said.

Spencer said his legislative goals will center on education, economic security, and healthcare. He said he supports “universally guaranteed health coverage for all citizens through ‘Medicare For All’ legislation.”

He also said he would only accept campaign contributions from individuals.

The Second Congressional District includes Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, White, Van Buren, Conway, and Perry counties.

Spencer appeared on Talk Business & Politics in early June to discuss his candidacy.