Quick Info
| Profession | United States Senator; former Army officer |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 13/05/1977 |
| Age | 49 years |
| Birthplace | Dardanelle, Arkansas, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Latest News about Tom Cotton
A Talk Business & Politics poll of 709 likely voters showed Cotton leading Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner 50% to 41% in the Arkansas Senate race, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 points. Libertarian Jeff Wadlin trailed with 4.5%. Cotton is seeking a third term in the November 3, 2026 election.
President Donald Trump publicly urged the Senate to pass legislation making daylight saving time permanent and posted what appeared to be Cotton's personal cellphone number. Cotton, the bill's chief critic and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has vowed to oppose year-round daylight saving time. The episode escalated a public standoff between the two Republicans.
Cotton voted in favour of the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would bar members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying stocks. He also criticised Democrats for opposing the measure despite their earlier statements supporting such a ban.
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Thomas Bryant Cotton |
|---|---|
| Summary | Republican politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Arkansas since January 2015. He previously represented Arkansas's 4th congressional district in the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015, and he is a former U.S. Army infantry officer. |
| Current Roles |
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| Senate Term Status | Up for reelection in 2026; current term ends January 2027 |
| 2026 Election | Republican nominee seeking a third Senate term in the November 3, 2026 election, facing Democrat Hallie Shoffner |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 6 ft 5 in |
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Educational Qualification(s)
| High School | Dardanelle High School (graduated 1995) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Harvard University (BA) |
| Law | Harvard Law School (JD) |
| Other | Attended Claremont Graduate University |
Personal Life
| Hometown Background | Raised on his family's cattle farm in Yell County, Arkansas, in a family with roots in the state spanning several generations |
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| Military Service | Served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer, including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division; received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Ranger Tab |
| Sports | Played basketball in high school |
Relationships & More
| Spouse | Anna Peckham Cotton (married 2014) |
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Family
| Father | Thomas Leonard "Len" Cotton |
|---|---|
| Mother | Avis (née Bryant) Cotton |
| Spouse | Anna Peckham Cotton |
| Children |
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Career
| Early Career | Served as a clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals and practiced law privately; later worked as a management consultant |
|---|---|
| Military | Served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer after the September 11, 2001 attacks |
| House of Representatives | Represented Arkansas's 4th congressional district, 2013 to 2015 |
| Senate | United States Senator from Arkansas since January 3, 2015; reelected in 2020 |
| Committees |
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| Party Leadership | Chair of the Senate Republican Conference since January 2025 |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He is a sixth-generation Arkansan from Yell County. | |
| 2. His family's cattle farm has been in the Cotton family since the 1840s. | |
| 3. He left his law career to enlist after the September 11, 2001 attacks. | |
| 4. He was previously mentioned as a possible future presidential candidate. | |
| 5. He was named the third-highest ranked Republican in the Senate when Senate Republicans chose him as conference chair in November 2024. |
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