Donald Jones (D-NJ)

[jakeakins]

 

-Basic Information-

Name: Donald Michael Jones

Age: 86

Gender: Male

State: New Jersey

Party: Democrat

Seat: Class I

Faction: New Democrats

Avatar: Morgan Freeman

 

-Personal Information-

Date of Birth: 11/7/1938

Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey

Places of Residence: Weehawken, New Jersey | Washington D.C.

Current Socioeconomic History: Middle Class

Religion: Christian

Race: Black

Sexual Orientation: Straight

Speical Talent - Rhetorician 

-Family Information-

Father: Delin Jones (b. 1910 m. 1960 d. 1996)

Mother: Sally May Jones (Cabot) (b. 1919 m. 1960 d. 2001)

Siblings: Louis Jones (b. 1946)

 

Wife: Alexandria Jones (Munch) (b. 1944 - m. 1959)

 

-Family Occupations-

Father: Delin Jones - World War 2 Veteran (Purple Heart, Retired as well)

Mother: Lexi Jones - School Teacher (Retired)

Siblings: Louis Jones- Lawyer

 

Wife: Alexandria Jones - Nurse

 

-Educational History-

B.S. in Political Science from Princeton University (Class of 1960)

B.S. in Criminal Justice from Princeton University (Class of 1962)

JD from Princeton (Class of 1962)

 

-Occupational History-

Clerk at a Law firm (1960-1964)

Lawyer (1964-1978)

 

-Political Career-

Hudson County Commissioner (1970-1974)

Elected to the State Senate (1974-1978)

Elected to the US House (1978-1982)

Elected to the US Senate (1982-) 

 

- Presidential Primary Support-

1960- Richard Nixon (R-CA)

1964- Barry Goldwater (R-AZ)

1968- Richard Nixon (R-CA)

1972- Richard Nixon (R-CA)

1976- Roger MacBride (L-VT)

1980- Ronald Reagan (R-CA)

1984- Ronald Reagan (R-CA)

1988- Ron Paul (L-TX)

1992 - Bill Clinton (D-AR)

1996 - Bill Clinton (D-AR)

2000 - Al Gore (D-TN)

2004 - John Kerry (D-MA)

2008 - Barack Obama (D-IL)

2012 - Barack Obama (D-IL)

2016 - Willie Wilson (D-IL)

2020- Joe Biden (D-DE)

 

 

-Electoral History-

New Jersey 8th District House of Representatives General Election - 1978

Donald Jones (R) - 51.4%

Robert A. Roe (D)- 49.1

Others - 0.05%

New Jersey 8th District House of Representatives General Election - 1980

Donald Jones (R) - 50.3%

Robert A. Roe (D)- 49.1

Others - 0.6%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 1988

Donald Jones (R) - 56.1%

Frank Lautenberg (D) - 42.0%

Others - 1.9%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 1994

Donald Jones (I/D) - 49.6%

Chuck Haytaian (R) - 43.6%

Others - 6.8%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 2000

Donald Jones (D) - 50.1%

Bob Franks (R) - 46.8%

Others - 3.1%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 2006

Donald Jones (D) - 52.7

Thomas Kean Jr. (R) - 42.0%

Others - 5.3%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 2012

Donald Jones (D) - 54.5%

Joe Kyrillos (R) - 42.8%

Others - 3.5%

New Jersey Class 1 Senate General Election - 2018

Donald Jones (D) - 54.5%

Bob Hugin (R) - 42.0%

Others - 2.7%

 

-Key Votes-

96th Congress 1979-1981

Both: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980- AYE

97th Congress 1981-1983

Both: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982- AYE

98th Congress 1983-1985
Both: Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act of 1983- AYE
99th Congress 1985-1987

Democrats: Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986-NAY
100th Congress 1987-1989:
Democrats: McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act-AYE

101th Congress 1989-1991:
Democrats: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990-NAY

102th Congress 1991-1993:
Both: Former Soviet Union Demilitarization Act of 1992-AYE
103th Congress 1993-1995:
Both: North American Free Trade Agreement-AYE
104th Congress 1995-1997:
Democrats: Defense of Marriage Act-Nay
105th Congress 1997-1999:
Democrats: Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997-AYE
106th Congress 1999-2001:
Democrats: Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act-AYE
107th Congress 2001-2003:
Democrats: Homeland Security Act of 2002-AYE
108th Congress 2003-2005:
Democrats: Unborn Victims of Violence Act-NAY

109th Congress 2005-2007:
Democrats: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act-NAY

110th Congress 2007-2009
Democrats: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008-AYE

111th Congress 2009-2011
Democrats: Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010-AYE
112th Congress 2011-2013
Democrats: United States–Colombia Free Trade Agreement-AYE

113th Congress 2013-2015

Both: Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization-AYE

Both: Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013-AYE

114th Congress 2015-2017

Both: Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015-AYE

115th Congress 2017-2019

Democrats: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act-NAY

116th Congress 2019-2021

Both: United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement Implementation Act-AYE

117th Congress 2021-2023

Both: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021-AYE

Both: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-AYE

Both: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022-AYE

118th Congress 2023-2025

Both: Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023-AYE

 

-Biography Points-

Male: 0 points

75 or older: -15 Points

Straight, married with < 3 children: -5 Points

Black: 10 points

Evangelical or Mainline Protestant: 0 Points 

College Degree at Top University: 0 points

Master's Degree (incl. JD): 0 Points (5 for Top)

Middle Class: 15 points

Lawyer: 10 points 

House of Representatives Terms: 6 points 

Senate Terms: 30 points 

Senate Subcommittee Chair/RM: 3 points per Congress (12)

Senate Committee Chair/RM: 5 points per Congress (10)

Total: 78 points

 

Biography:

Early Life and Education
Donald Michael Jones was born on November 7, 1938, in Newark, New Jersey, to Delin Jones, a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and Sally May Jones, a dedicated schoolteacher. Growing up in a working-class, tightly knit African American family, Jones developed a strong sense of discipline and commitment to public service from an early age. His upbringing in Newark during a time of significant social change influenced his lifelong focus on justice, equality, and civil service.

Jones excelled academically and was accepted into Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1960 and a second degree in Criminal Justice in 1962. He completed his Juris Doctor at Princeton’s law school that same year, paving the way for a career in law and public service.

Legal and Early Political Career
Jones began his career as a law clerk in a New Jersey law firm from 1960 to 1964. After passing the bar, he practiced law from 1964 to 1978, building a reputation as a skilled and fair-minded attorney. His growing interest in politics and policy led him to run for public office, and in 1970, he was elected as a Hudson County Commissioner, where he served until 1974.

In 1974, Jones transitioned to state-level politics, winning a seat in the New Jersey State Senate. His time as a state senator allowed him to focus on criminal justice reform, public safety, and improving the quality of education. He served in the state senate until 1978, when he made the leap to national politics.

U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Career
In 1978, Jones won a narrow election to represent New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican, defeating Democrat Robert A. Roe. He was re-elected in 1980 before setting his sights on the U.S. Senate.

In 1982, Jones was elected to the U.S. Senate, marking the start of a long and influential career in federal politics. Initially a Republican, Jones gradually shifted his political allegiance, ultimately aligning with the Democratic Party by the mid-1990s. This change reflected his evolving views, particularly on economic policies, social justice, and environmental issues. Jones became a member of the New Democrats faction, advocating for centrist and progressive policies aimed at modernizing the U.S. economy and promoting social equity.

Throughout his Senate career, Jones consistently won re-election, defeating notable opponents like Frank Lautenberg, Chuck Haytaian, Bob Franks, and Thomas Kean Jr. His electoral victories highlighted his popularity and ability to resonate with voters from both sides of the political spectrum.

Political and Ideological Evolution
Jones’s political journey has been unique, reflecting his pragmatic approach to governance. He supported Republican presidential candidates through the 1980s, including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. His support for Libertarian Ron Paul in 1988 showcased his independent streak, but by 1992, he endorsed Bill Clinton and transitioned fully into Democratic politics. Jones backed Democratic nominees for president from 1992 onward, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden.

As a member of the New Democrats faction, Jones focused on policies that promoted economic growth, education reform, and criminal justice changes. He earned respect for his bipartisan approach and ability to work across the aisle on key legislative matters.

Personal Life and Legacy
Donald Jones married Alexandria Munch in 1959, and the couple has shared a long and supportive partnership. Alexandria worked as a nurse throughout her career, providing compassionate care while supporting Jones in his political endeavors. They reside in Weehawken, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.

Jones’s family has a long history of public service. His brother, Louis Jones, is a successful lawyer, following in the family tradition of advocating for justice and equality.

Throughout his decades in public service, Jones has remained deeply connected to his Christian faith and his roots in Newark. His career is marked by a remarkable evolution from a Republican-aligned politician to a stalwart Democrat, with a continued focus on centrist policies and pragmatic solutions.

At 86 years old, Donald Michael Jones continues to serve New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, a role he has held since 1982, making him one of the longest-serving senators in the state’s history. His life is a testament to adaptability, resilience, and dedication to public service.

Edited September 12 by jakeakins

[TedderBear]

Approved, masked, and added to Senate Roster. Welcome back!