Jewell Jones
Jones in 2017
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 11th district
In office
January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2023
Preceded byLauren Plawecki
Succeeded byVeronica Paiz
Personal details
Born (1995-04-11) April 11, 1995
Inkster, Michigan
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceInkster, Michigan
Alma materUniversity of Michigan–Dearborn

Jewell Jones (born April 11, 1995) is an American politician from the state of Michigan. He served on the city council of Inkster, Michigan, and was elected to represent the 11th district of the Michigan House of Representatives as the youngest representative in state history.[1] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education

Jones's parents involved him in his church and in volunteering from a young age. He became a deacon in his family church.[2] Jones graduated from John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan, in 2013.[3] He is a student at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where he is pursuing a Dual-Degree in Business and Political Science.[2][4] He participated in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps. During his years in school, he became involved in politics, working on the political campaigns of David Knezek for Michigan State Senate and Hilliard Hampton for mayor of Inkster, Michigan, in 2014. In 2015, at the age of 20, he was elected and sworn into the Inkster City Council, becoming the youngest councilperson in the city's history.[4] Jones campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.[5]

Career

Inkster City Council

Jones was elected to the Inkster City Council at the age of 20, becoming the youngest person to ever sit on the city council.[6][7] As an Inkster City Councilman, Jones focused on the city's education system.[2]

Michigan House of Representatives

Following the death of Julie Plawecki, the incumbent member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 11th district, in 2016, Lauren Plawecki, her daughter, was the only candidate to file for the Democratic Party nomination in the special election to finish her term, which she won.[8][9] However, precinct delegates selected Jones to be the Democratic Party's nominee for the 11th district in the 2016 general election.[10] He won, receiving 66% of the vote against Republican Party nominee Robert Pope, and became the youngest State Representative in Michigan's history.[2][6]

On May 26, 2018, Jones was pulled over for speeding, window tint, and having an obstructed license plate.[11] He was cited for driving with open intoxicants, although officers stated that Jones and all of the passengers were sober.[11][12] His arraignment for the misdemeanor charges was set for August 24, 2018.[11]

On April 6, 2021, Jones was arrested on charges stemming from a motor vehicle accident. Paramedics arrived first and observed a woman with her pants down, and Jones with his pants partially down.[13] When police arrived, Jones was charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer, operating a motor vehicle with high blood alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a weapon under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.[14] During the arrest, Jones told officers that he would call governor Gretchen Whitmer, and warned the officers that he runs the state budget. Jones's attorney denied that he resisted the arrest, and said that his statements regarding the governor and the budget were made in an attempt to stop the officers from using excessive force.[15][16]

On September 15, after being arraigned, Jones was found to have attempted to smuggle a handcuff key into the jail. The key was attached to the bottom of his foot, with clear tape.[17][18]

Following his arrest, Jones was stripped of his committee assignments in September 2021.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Janes, Chelsea (October 30, 2020). "Both Biden and Trump camps see young Black men as key to their chances". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Steinberg, Stephanie (December 6, 2016). "Jewell Jones makes history as youngest state rep". Detroit News. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  3. ↑ Blum, Andrea (July 8, 2016). "Inkster councilman chosen to run to replace late state representative". Dearborn Press and Guide. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Lewis, Philip (November 19, 2015). "Meet The 20-Year-Old Councilman Hoping To Change His Hometown For The Better". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  5. ↑ Blades, Lincoln Anthony (November 21, 2016). "Michigan's Youngest State Representative Jewell Jones is 21 Years Old". Teen Vogue. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Blay, Zeba (November 14, 2016). "This 21-Year-Old Black Man Just Became Michigan's Youngest State Rep". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  7. ↑ Davis, Rachaell (November 11, 2016). "Black College Student Jewell Jones Makes History As Youngest Lawmaker In Michigan". Essence. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ Gray, Kathleen (July 12, 2016). "Plawecki's daughter files to finish mother's term". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ Gray, Kathleen (November 29, 2016). "Conyers, Plawecki, Green assume seats in Senate, House". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  10. ↑ Egan, Paul (July 7, 2016). "Inkster councilman chosen to succeed late lawmaker". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 Dickson, James David (July 19, 2018). "State Rep. Jewell Jones to be arraigned on open intox charge". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  12. ↑ Herndon, Dave (December 7, 2018). "State Rep. Jewell Jones faces open intoxicant charge". Press and Guide. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  13. ↑ Nissen, Jack (April 26, 2021). "Rep. Jewell Jones, female passenger found with pants down before arrest, per report". FOX 2 Detroit.
  14. ↑ Johncox, Cassidy (April 16, 2021). "Michigan state Rep. Jewell charged in alleged drunk driving incident". Click On Detroit. WDIV-TV. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  15. ↑ Dupnack, Jessica (April 23, 2021). "Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones accused of telling police he'll call 'Gretchen' on them during arrest". FOX 2 Detroit. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Michigan lawmaker dropped governor's name during DUI arrest, state police say". NBC News. April 24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  17. ↑ Daugherty, Kayla (September 15, 2021). "Update: Rep. Jewell Jones arraigned on two felonies after bringing handcuff key into jail". Livingston Daily. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Michigan Rep. Jewell Jones pleads guilty to 3rd bond violation, is sent to jail". Deadline Detroit. September 14, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  19. ↑ "House speaker strips Jewell Jones of committee posts after new charges". Freep.com. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
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