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 byScott Wilk
Member of the California State Senate
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byJoel Anderson
Constituency38th district (2018–2022)
40th district (2022–present)
Member of the California State Assembly
In office
December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2016
Preceded byJoel Anderson
Succeeded byRandy Voepel
Constituency77th district (2010–2012)
71st district (2012–2016)
Personal details
Born (1968-08-09) August 9, 1968 (age 55)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHeather
Children3
EducationGrossmont College
San Diego State University (BBA)

Early life and education edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  • Vice Chair, Business, Professions, & Consumer Protection
  • Governmental Organization
  • Utilities & Commerce
  • Assembly Legislative Ethics[17]

Legislative scorecards edit

ALEC edit

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 edit

Jones lives in Santee, California, with his wife Heather and their three children.

Elections edit

2010 edit

California State Assembly election, 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 edit

California State Assembly election, 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 edit

California's 71st State Assembly district election, 2014
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 edit

  1. ^ Assembly Member Brian Jones of California[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ League of Women Voters – Brian W. Jones
  3. ^ a b Ken Stone & Steven Barthalow (October 25, 2011). "Assemblyman Jones: On Campaign Finance, Cap-and-Trade, Other Issues". La Mesa Patch.
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ Project Vote Smart – Brian W. Jones
  6. ^ "New Sportsplex USA Opens in Santee". Scouting Santee. June 17, 2010.
  7. ^ Michele Clock (May 13, 2005). "Santee puts off decision on park". U-T San Diego.
  8. ^ "Santee Vice Mayor Brian Jones is running for Assembly race". East County Magazine. April 15, 2010.
  9. ^ "Assemblyman Brian Jones Proudly Defending The 2nd Amendment". September 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Assemblymember Brian Jones (October 17, 2011). "Dream Act or Nightmare?". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012.
  11. ^ AB 860
  12. ^ "SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors. Bill votes". California Legislative Information Website. September 26, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  13. ^ "SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors. -Bill Text". The California Legislation Information Website. September 26, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  14. ^ Press Release (August 23, 2011). "Assemblyman Jones testifies in opposition to Fire "tax" before the Board of Equalization".[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Elizabeth Aguilera (December 14, 2011). "Campaign to repeal financial aid for immigrants". U-T San Diego.
  16. ^ Press Release (October 6, 2011). "Governor signs streamlined CalWORKS bill by Assemblyman Brian Jones". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
  17. ^ "Committee Membership". California State Assembly. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011.
  18. ^ Michael Gardner (December 14, 2011). "Fletcher at bottom of CRA scorecard". U-T San Diego.
  19. ^ Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "2011 Legislative ScoreCard".
  20. ^ Capitol Resource Family Impact. "2011 Legislative Scorecard".
  21. ^ http://conservative.org/files/CAStateLegislativeRatings.pdf[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "COSAction". Conventionofstates.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.

External links edit

California Senate
Preceded by Minority Leader of the California Senate
2022–present
Incumbent