It’s official. State Senate President Emil Jones (D-14th) is off the Nov. 4 ballot. His replacement? Emil Jones III, his son.
It’s official. State Senate President Emil Jones (D-14th) is off the Nov. 4 ballot. His replacement? Emil Jones III, his son. South Side committeemen unanimously voted Thursday to have the younger Jones replace his father in the November General Election. The senate president announced Monday he will retire in January after 35 years in the legislature. While the decision to choose the 30-year-old son was a unified one, Jones did have competition. State Rep. Monique Davis (D-27th), whose district is in Jones’ senate district, nominated a retired schoolteacher, Dozier Thomas, 73, to challenge the younger Jones. In an interview with the Defender Tuesday, Davis said President Jones’ delay in announcing his retirement stripped his constituents of the opportunity to select who should represent them in the state senate. "The people have the right to choose who they want," Davis said. Jones III, who works in the state’s Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said "economic development is my strongest point" and vowed to continue championing for education funding and health care, as his father did. ______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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