Brian Jones (politician)
Brian W. Jones (born August 9, 1968)[1] is an American politician serving in the California State Senate. A Republican, he represents the 40th State Senatorial district, encompassing most of inland San Diego County. He previously served in the California State Assembly, representing the 71st district, also encompassing most of inland San Diego County. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was a member of the Santee City Council.
Brian Jones | |
---|---|
Minority Leader of the California Senate | |
Assumed office December 5, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Scott Wilk |
Member of the California State Senate | |
Assumed office December 3, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Joel Anderson |
Constituency | 38th district (2018–2022) 40th district (2022–present) |
Member of the California State Assembly | |
In office December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Joel Anderson |
Succeeded by | Randy Voepel |
Constituency | 77th district (2010–2012) 71st district (2012–2016) |
Personal details | |
Born | Austin, Texas, U.S. | August 9, 1968
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Heather |
Children | 3 |
Education | Grossmont College San Diego State University (BBA) |
Early life and education
Born in Austin, Texas, Jones moved to California in 1978. Jones graduated from Santana High School and continued his education at Grossmont College before earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from San Diego State University in 1991.
Career
Prior to entering politics, he served as Commissioner of the Mobile Home Fair Practices Commission, President of the Kiwanis Key Club, and Secretary of San Diego 4-Wheelers, and a member of the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee.[2][3] Professionally, Jones was a manager at Domino's Pizza and a licensed real estate salesperson.[4]
Santee City Council
Jones was elected to the Santee City Council in November 2002. While on the City Council, he served as a representative on the Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force, Heartland Fire Training Authority Commission, the Santee Elementary School District Conference Committee, the Santee Library Committee, the Goodan Ranch Policy Committee, and as an alternate representative on the Metropolitan Transit Services Board. In addition, he also served on the board of directors for the East County Boys & Girls Club.[5]
As a member of the Santee City Council, Jones oversaw the planning and approval of the Santee Town Center Park[6] and YMCA Aquatic Center.[7]
California State Assembly
Jones was elected to the California State Assembly in 2010, as a representative of the 77th Assembly District, located in East San Diego County, California. He campaigned on a number of conservative issues, including private sector job creation, which he stated includes "getting government out of the way of the free enterprise market—lower taxes on individuals and corporations, and two, reducing the regulatory burden that the state government is placing on businesses that is chasing them out of the state."[8]
As a member of the Assembly, Jones has expressed support for the Second Amendment,[9] opposition to illegal immigration,[10] and a desire to see reforms aimed at curtailing the influence of public-sector labor unions. His signature piece of legislation, AB 860, would "prohibit direct political contributions by corporations and unions to political candidates" and "prohibit government employers to deduct from government worker paychecks money that is then used to engage in political activity."[11] In 2016, Jones voted against California SB 1322, a bill that would place any minors forced into prostitution into protective custody instead of charging them with prostitution.[12] This bill would also make it illegal to record someone in a partial or complete state of undress without their knowledge or consent, and added an additional punishment of up to a $10,000 fine for individuals who knowingly solicited sex from minors.[13] He testified before the State Board of Equalization in opposition to the proposed State Responsibility Fire Fee,[14] and has been a supporter of the Stop Special Interest Money initiative[3] and an effort to repeal the California DREAM Act.[15]
In 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed Jones' bill, AB 959, into law. The new law will "streamline the CalWORKs process for recipients and counties throughout California."[16]
Committee assignments
- Vice Chair, Business, Professions, & Consumer Protection
- Governmental Organization
- Utilities & Commerce
- Assembly Legislative Ethics[17]
Legislative scorecards
- California Republican Assembly – 88%[18]
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association – 93.8%[19]
- Capitol Resource Family Impact – 100%[20]
- American Conservative Union – 96%[21]
ALEC
Jones is one of the few members of the California legislature to make his association with the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council public. Jones is the only member of the California state legislature listed as an attendee of ALEC's Convention of States Simulation in September 2016.[22]
Personal life
Jones lives in Santee, California, with his wife Heather and their three children.
Elections
2010
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Brian Jones | 19,559 | 43.1 | |
Republican | Bill Wells | 13,003 | 28.6 | |
Republican | Christine Rubin | 12,843 | 23.1 | |
Total votes | 45,405 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 82,909 | 62.4 | |
Democratic | Mark Hanson | 43,674 | 32.9 | |
California Libertarian Party | Richard Belitz | 6,228 | 4.7 | |
Total votes | 132,811 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
2012
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 36,424 | 46.7 | |
Democratic | Patrick J. Hurley | 23,510 | 30.2 | |
Republican | John McLaughlin | 17,987 | 23.1 | |
Total votes | 77,921 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 106,663 | 63.1 | |
Democratic | Patrick J. Hurley | 62,330 | 36.9 | |
Total votes | 168,993 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
2014 California State Assembly
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 40,326 | 76.1 | |
Republican | Tony Teora | 12,573 | 23.7 | |
Democratic | Howard L. Katz (write-in) | 109 | 0.2 | |
Total votes | 53,008 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 64,613 | 70.6 | |
Republican | Tony Teora | 26,935 | 29.4 | |
Total votes | 91,548 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
References
- Assembly Member Brian Jones of California
- League of Women Voters – Brian W. Jones
- Ken Stone & Steven Barthalow (October 25, 2011). "Assemblyman Jones: On Campaign Finance, Cap-and-Trade, Other Issues". La Mesa Patch.
- Lessons Learned at SDSU Still Aid California State Senator. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2021, from https://business.sdsu.edu/about/news/articles/2020/04/lessons-learned-at-sdsu-still-aid-california-state-senator.aspx
- Project Vote Smart – Brian W. Jones
- "New Sportsplex USA Opens in Santee". Scouting Santee. June 17, 2010.
- Michele Clock (May 13, 2005). "Santee puts off decision on park". U-T San Diego.
- "Santee Vice Mayor Brian Jones is running for Assembly race". East County Magazine. April 15, 2010.
- "Assemblyman Brian Jones Proudly Defending The 2nd Amendment". September 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011 – via YouTube.
- Assemblymember Brian Jones (October 17, 2011). "Dream Act or Nightmare?". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
- AB 860
- "SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors. Bill votes". California Legislative Information Website. September 26, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- "SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors. -Bill Text". The California Legislation Information Website. September 26, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- Press Release (August 23, 2011). "Assemblyman Jones testifies in opposition to Fire "tax" before the Board of Equalization".
- Elizabeth Aguilera (December 14, 2011). "Campaign to repeal financial aid for immigrants". U-T San Diego.
- Press Release (October 6, 2011). "Governor signs streamlined CalWORKS bill by Assemblyman Brian Jones". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
- "Committee Membership". California State Assembly. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011.
- Michael Gardner (December 14, 2011). "Fletcher at bottom of CRA scorecard". U-T San Diego.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "2011 Legislative ScoreCard".
- Capitol Resource Family Impact. "2011 Legislative Scorecard".
- http://conservative.org/files/CAStateLegislativeRatings.pdf%5B%5D
- "COSAction". Conventionofstates.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.