Brenden Jones is an American politician and entrepreneur from the state of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the Republican Party, representing the 46th district.[1] He was first elected in November 2016.[2][3][4]

Brenden Jones
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 46th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
Preceded byKen Waddell
Personal details
Born
Brenden Jones
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceTabor City, North Carolina
OccupationBusinessman

Political career edit

Jones has participated in the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 general elections for NC House of Representatives District 46.[5][6] After losing his first election, the NC Republican Party infused his 2016 campaign with nearly $149K to help him win the seat in the rural 46th Distinct.[7][8] Before the election, Jones became involved in a physical altercation with his opponent, Tim Benton, and they filed assault charges against each other.[9][10] The charges were dismissed after the election.[10]

In 2017, Jones introduced HB562, a bathroom bill which would make it harder for transgender people to use public bathrooms by imposing harsher penalties for "trespassing". This was 4 days after partial repeal of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. He is opposed to allowing men and women to share public restrooms and changing facilities.[11][12]

In 2022, Jones ran unopposed in the election.

Jones has voiced his opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, even for healthcare systems in NC.[13] He voted to end federal unemployment benefits linked to the COVID-19 pandemic relief for workers.[14]

Election results edit

Jones first ran for a seat in the NC House of Representatives in 2014 and lost to incumbent Kenneth Waddell(D). A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. Incumbent Ken Waddell was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Brenden Jones was unopposed in the Republican primary. Waddell defeated Jones in the general election.[5] 2014 Jones' website highlighted the following campaign themes: Keeping Taxes Low, Reining in Government Spending, Supporting our Teachers, Stimulating Private-Sector Job Growth, Fighting for Rural Transportation, Standing Strong for Our Values,

Democratic Ken Waddell Incumbent 53.4% 11,551 Republican Brenden Jones 46.6% 10,073 Vote totals 21,624[5]

2016 general elections
North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 8, 2016
Candidate Party Votes %
Brenden Jones Republican 19,607 60.34%
Tim Benton Democrat 11,836 36.42%
Thomas (Tom) Howell, Jr. Libertarian 1,052 3.24%
2018 general election
North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 6, 2018
Candidate Party Votes %
Brenden Jones Republican 12,687 63.35%
Barbara S. Yates-Lockamy Democrat 7,339 36.65%
2020 general election
North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 3, 2020
Candidate Party Votes %
Brenden Jones Republican 17,555 60.7%
Tim Heath Democrat 11,369 39.3%

[8][5]

North Carolina House of Representatives edit

Standing or select committees (2019–2020 session) edit

  • Appropriations, Information Technology, Chairman
  • House select Committee on Disaster Relief, Chairman
  • Appropriations, Vice-chairman
  • Energy and Public Utilities, Vice-chairman
  • Agriculture
  • House Select Committee on COVID-19

Non-standing committees (2019–2020 session) edit

  • Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations
  • Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology
  • Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy
  • Joint Legislative Emergency Management Oversight Committee
  • Joint Select Committee on Storm-Related River Debris/Damage in North Carolina, Co-chair

[15][16][17]

2021-2022 Session edit

Jones was assigned to the following committees:[18][19][20]

  • Appropriations on Information Technology Committee,
  • Appropriations on Transportation Committee, Senior chair
  • Energy and Public Utilities Committee
  • Federal Relations and American Indian Affairs Committee, Vice chair,
  • Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee, Vice chair,
  • Agriculture Committee,
  • Appropriations Committee, Vice chair,
  • House Transportation Committee, Chair[20][21]

Personal life edit

Jones is a third generation car dealer.[22] He and his wife, Angela, are the owner of Meares & Jones Funeral Service in Fair Bluff, North Carolina.[23] He is also a deacon at Tabor City Baptist Church.[24]

References edit

  1. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  2. ^ Tracy, Kailey (7 November 2018). "Jones wins NC House District 46 race". WECT. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  3. ^ "Brenden Jones".
  4. ^ "Brenden Jones". Ballotpedia.
  5. ^ a b c d "Brenden Jones".
  6. ^ "Brenden Jones".
  7. ^ "Brenden Jones".
  8. ^ a b "Brenden Jones - North Carolina Candidate".
  9. ^ "Battle for House District 46 gets physical". Carolina Journal -. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Assault charges dismissed against N.C. House candidates Benton, Jones – BladenOnline". Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  11. ^ Brown, Joel (7 April 2017). "New 'bathroom bill' in the works in North Carolina". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  12. ^ Rodriguez, Matthew (5 April 2017). "North Carolina trying to legislate its bathrooms again less than a week after HB2 repeal". Mic. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  13. ^ "State lawmakers urge health system leaders to reverse COVID-19 vaccine mandates". 5 August 2021.
  14. ^ "N.C. House votes to cut off expanded $300-a-week federal unemployment benefits". 3 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Brenden Jones, State Representative, District 46 from North Carolina".
  16. ^ "Representative Brenden H. Jones - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov.
  17. ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly".
  18. ^ "Brenden Jones".
  19. ^ "North Carolina Representative Brenden H. Jones - FastDemocracy".
  20. ^ a b "Rep. Brenden H. Jones".
  21. ^ "Brenden Jones - North Carolina Candidate".
  22. ^ "Jones and Waddell face off for rural House seat". www.wect.com. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  23. ^ Matthews, Diana. "'Privilege to serve' – Meares & Jones marks new ownership, updated facility". NRcolumbus.com. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Pastor says his Church did not Endorse Candidate". www.wect.com. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 46th district

2017-Present
Incumbent