Highlights

• Jim Bob Duggar lost multiple political elections and has since disappeared from the public eye after his son's prison sentence.
• Despite his unsuccessful political career, Jim Bob held various political roles in Arkansas before gaining reality TV fame.
• Jim Bob may be lying low and his family is facing difficulties, including a court case and financial troubles.

Jim Bob Duggar once held political positions, but over the years, he seemed to lose favor and lost multiple elections as the Duggar family grew to fame.

After Josh was sentenced to over a decade in prison, it seemed that Jim Bob's days in politics were over, and he has since disappeared from not only the ballot, but also the public eye.

Did Jim Bob Duggar Win His Senate Seat?

Jim Bob Duggar lost multiple bids for political roles in Arkansas

Jim Bob Duggar ran for Senate in his home state of Arkansas in 2021 and lost the election.

The same year his son wound up in prison for possessing inappropriate material of children, Jim Bob made his ideals clear on the campaign trail, supporting the banning of abortion, increasing funds for state prisons, supporting the death penalty in Arkansas, and informing residents when a convicted offender moved into their neighborhood.

Duggar also endorsed "teacher-led voluntary prayer" in public schools (all of his children were homeschooled), concealed carry of firearms (and reduced restrictions on buying and possessing firearms), and banning same-sex marriage.

Who Is Jim Bob Duggar's "Advisor" Chad, And Why Did Jill Dillard Bring Him Up In The Amazon Docuseries?

Jill Dillard name-dropped Jim Bob Duggar's advisor, Chad Gallagher, during a surprising reveal during Shiny Happy People.

His ideals are likely no surprise to viewers who watched the family on TLC, and Jim Bob did run as a Republican for his multiple bids at the Senate. Unfortunately, Jim Bob's political career seemed to falter, even before Josh's arrest and eventual conviction.

In 2002, Jim Bob ran for the US Senate and lost to Tim Hutchinson; the margins were massive, with Hutchinson receiving more than three times the votes Duggar did.

Jim Bob ran again in 2006, this time for Arkansas State Senate, and lost by a mere 200 votes. His seemingly final bid at the State Senate ended when his son was incarcerated.

Yet it's unclear why Jim Bob's earlier runs for office were unsuccessful, given how powerful the family is perceived to be and the general demographics of Arkansas (mostly Republican).

Josh Duggar's Scandal Tanked Jim Bob's Political Career

Jim Bob Duggar appeared to quit politics after Josh went to prison

Jim Bob Duggar may still have many political supporters, but that doesn't mean he's winning any elections. After a 2021 election, which Jim Bob lost, it doesn't appear that the patriarch returned to politics.

Before his family grew to reality TV fame, Jim Bob held various political roles in Arkansas, including serving on multiple committees. Duggar also served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002 or 2003 (sources appear divided on the exact year).

Jill Dillard Finally Revealed The Extent Of Jim Bob Duggar's Control Over His Kids' Lives

Jill Dillard is spilling all the tea, including details about her dad Jim Bob Duggar's perhaps questionable tax activities.

Fans who watched the family's reality TV shows might recall that the family's show, ultimately titled 19 Kids and Counting, started in 2008. At that time, the show was called 17 Kids and Counting, but the Duggars had also appeared in some specials before getting their own show on TLC.

In 2004, the Duggars had a TV special titled 14 Children and Pregnant Again!, followed by multiple TV movies in 2006 when they had 16 children. Ultimately, viewers loved the family, and the rest is history — and apparently, so was Jim Bob's political career.

What Is Jim Bob Duggar Doing Now?

Jim Bob Duggar may be lying low after family troubles

After Josh Duggar's court case and conviction, it seemed that the whole family might lie low for a while. Jim Bob and Michelle stopped giving interviews after the accusations against Josh first aired (that is, after the family's awkward Megyn Kelly interviews).

It's also been rumored that Jim Bob and Michelle are no longer the richest in the family, given that they reportedly went in to debt to try and keep their oldest son out of prison.

Did Jill Duggar Dillard And Jim Bob Duggar Repair Their Relationship After She Shared Secrets In Her Memoir?

Jill Duggar Dillard's book "Counting The Cost" may have changed her relationship with her father Jim Bob Duggar forever.

Despite lying low, Michelle and Jim Bob have been involved in a court case with 2023 filings related to their custody of Michelle's great-nephew. They also posted a public response to their daughter Jill Dillard's claims about them in the Amazon docuseries that covered their family's unique lifestyle.

To date, however, they have declined to discuss recent events, including any plans for public office or other 'projects.'

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGibopxdn7auecGomWacpZy0or6MsKCnZZiewG6%2FxKeYrZ1dqLKiwI4%3D