Brian Jones | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2018 | |
| Minority Leader of theCalifornia Senate | |
| Assumed office December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Scott Wilk |
| Member of theCalifornia State Senate | |
| Assumed office December 3, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Joel Anderson |
| Constituency | 38th district (2018–2022) 40th district (2022–present) |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly | |
| In office December 6, 2010 – December 5, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Joel Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Randy Voepel |
| Constituency | 77th district (2010–2012) 71st district (2012–2016) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1968-08-09)August 9, 1968 (age 57) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Heather |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Grossmont College San Diego State University (BBA) |
Brian W. Jones (born August 9, 1968)[1] is an American politician serving in theCalifornia State Senate. ARepublican, he represents the40th State Senatorial district, encompassing most of inlandSan Diego County. He previously served in theCalifornia State Assembly, representing the71st district, also encompassing most of inland San Diego County. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was a member of theSantee City Council. He is the highest ranking Republican in Californian government.
Born inAustin, Texas, Jones moved to California in 1978. Jones attended Santee Elementary, Cajon Park Middle School graduated fromSantana High School[2] where he was involved in Student Government and continued his education atGrossmont College before earning a bachelor's degree in business administration fromSan Diego State University in 1991.[3][4]
Prior to entering politics, he served as Commissioner of the Mobile Home Fair Practices Commission, President of theKiwanis Key Club, and Secretary of San Diego 4-Wheelers, and a member of the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee.[5][6] Professionally, Jones was a manager atDomino's Pizza and a licensed real estate salesperson.[7]
Jones was elected to the Santee City Council in November 2002. While on the City Council, he served as a representative on theMission Trails Regional Park Task Force, Heartland Fire Training Authority Commission, theSantee Elementary School District Conference Committee, the Santee Library Committee, the Goodan Ranch Policy Committee, and as an alternate representative on theMetropolitan Transit Services Board. In addition, he also served on the board of directors for the East CountyBoys & Girls Club.[8]
As a member of the Santee City Council, Jones oversaw the planning and approval of the Santee Town Center Park[9] and YMCA Aquatic Center.[10]
Jones was elected to theCalifornia State Assembly in 2010, as a representative of the77th Assembly District, located in EastSan 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."[11]
As a member of the Assembly, Jones has expressed support for theSecond Amendment,[12] opposition to illegal immigration,[13] 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."[14]
He testified before theState Board of Equalization in opposition to the proposed State Responsibility Fire Fee,[15] and has been a supporter of the Stop Special Interest Money initiative[6] and an effort to repeal theCalifornia DREAM Act.[16]
In 2011,GovernorJerry Brown signed Jones' bill, AB 959, into law. The new law will "streamline theCalWORKs process for recipients and counties throughout California."[17]
In 2025, Jones announced a "Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary" bill[19] to weaken the California's Values Act (SB54) of 2017 that limits local law enforcement's cooperation with theU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and strengthen the trust of immigrant communities when reporting crimes.[20] Attending the press conference were Republican County SupervisorJoel Anderson,El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, SenatorRosilicie Ochoa Bogh,Vista Mayor John Franklin, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez,[21] Riverside County SheriffChad Bianco who had just announced he was running for governor[22][23] and at least three dozen protesters[24] including a speaker from theAmerican Friends Service Committee.[25]
Jones lives inSantee, California, with his wife Heather and their three children.[2]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Brian Jones | 20,156 | 43.1 | |
| Republican | Bill Wells | 13,411 | 28.6 | |
| Republican | Christine Rubin | 13,265 | 28.3 | |
| Total votes | 46,832 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Brian Jones | 82,909 | 62.4 | |
| Democratic | Mark Hanson | 43,674 | 32.9 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Belitz | 6,228 | 4.7 | |
| Total votes | 132,811 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Brian Jones | 114,270 | 57.2 | |
| Democratic | Jeff Griffith | 79,862 | 40.0 | |
| Libertarian | Antonio Salguero | 5,576 | 2.8 | |
| Total votes | 199,708 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Brian Jones | 187,345 | 53.0 | |
| Democratic | Jeff Griffith | 166,092 | 47.0 | |
| Total votes | 353,437 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 113,400 | 54.4 | |
| Democratic | Joseph C. Rocha | 94,960 | 45.6 | |
| Total votes | 208,360 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Brian Jones (incumbent) | 170,109 | 53.1 | |
| Democratic | Joseph C. Rocha | 149,948 | 46.9 | |
| Total votes | 320,057 | 100.0 | ||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | ||||
| California Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minority Leader of theCalifornia Senate 2022–present | Incumbent |
Members of theCalifornia State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
2025–26 Session
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