Dave Jones (politician)
Encyclopedia
David Evan "Dave" Jones is an American
politician
. He represented California
's 9th assembly district December 2004 through 2011. He is currently California's Insurance Commissioner
.
, representing the 6th District which includes much of Southeastern Sacramento and the College Greens neighborhood in East Sacramento. He served for five and a half years after winning a 1999 special election to replace Darrell Steinberg
, also his predecessor in the Assembly.
administration for three years. He first served as a special assistant to Janet Reno
and later as her counsel.
, his law degree from Harvard Law School
, and a masters in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
Jones also authored legislation in 2010 which sought to regulate pet insurance
by requiring pet insurance companies to be more specific about which types coverage will be provided. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and did not become law.
in 2008 due to his experience in local politics. However, Jones decided not to run and endorsed the mayor in her unsuccessful reelection bid against former NBA star and non profit director Kevin Johnson
.
was expected to run for Governor. Jones announced, "The insurance commissioner should be a strong advocate for consumers," he said. "I think with my background and experience, I would be a very strong advocate." He was quickly been endorsed by State Senate President Darrell Steinberg
and State Controller John Chiang
. Jones' main opponent in the Democratic primary was Los Angeles Assembly Member Hector De La Torre
.
Jones won the Democratic Party endorsement by receiving just over 60 percent of the delegate votes at the California Democratic Party's convention in Los Angeles on April 18, 2010. Jones defeated De La Torre in the Democratic Primary.
Jones won 3,544,003 votes in general election defeating Republican State Assemblyman Mike Villines, who received 2,650,383 votes.
and have two young children, Isabelle and William.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He represented California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's 9th assembly district December 2004 through 2011. He is currently California's Insurance Commissioner
California Insurance Commissioner
California Insurance Commissioner is an elected executive office position in California. The officeholder is in charge of the California Department of Insurance.The current Insurance Commissioner is Democrat Dave Jones.- Duties :...
.
Sacramento City Council
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Jones was a member of the Sacramento City CouncilSacramento City Council
The Sacramento City Council is the governing body of the city of Sacramento, California. The council holds regular meetings at Sacramento City Hall on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, with exceptions for holidays and other special cases....
, representing the 6th District which includes much of Southeastern Sacramento and the College Greens neighborhood in East Sacramento. He served for five and a half years after winning a 1999 special election to replace Darrell Steinberg
Darrell Steinberg
Darrell Steven Steinberg is a Democratic politician from Sacramento, California. He is currently serving his second term in the California State Senate, representing the 6th District. He has been the Senate President Pro Tem since 2008...
, also his predecessor in the Assembly.
Legal career
Before his election to the city council, he worked for six years as a legal aid attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, providing free legal assistance to the poor. In 1995, Jones was one of 13 Americans awarded a White House Fellowship. Jones served in the ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
administration for three years. He first served as a special assistant to Janet Reno
Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno is a former Attorney General of the United States . She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11...
and later as her counsel.
Education
Jones received his undergraduate degree from DePauw UniversityDePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
, his law degree from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, and a masters in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
Committee assignments
Jones, a Democrat, chaired the Assembly Judiciary Committee for four years. He also chaired the Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. He served on the Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Accountability and Government Review Committee.Legislative accomplishments
According to Jones’ official biography,, his legislative accomplishments include:- Reforming California's conservatorship laws, enacting sweeping protections for seniors and dependent adults facing abuse (Assembly Bill 1363 of 2006).
- Preventing HMOs and health insurers from charging men and women different rates for the same health insurance policies (Assembly Bill 119 of 2009).
- First-in-the-nation legislation allowing Californians to share their personal vehicles in car-sharing pools without invalidating their auto insurance (Assembly Bill 1871 of 2010).
- Securing billions in federal funding to improve California's hospital health care safety net and fund children's health care, by establishing a hospital provider fee (Assembly Bill 1383 of 2009).
- Protecting private medical records from mis-use (Assembly Bill 1298 of 2007) and disclosure (Assembly Bill 211 of 2008).
- Creating the nation's largest early childhood education and preschool program to give children the best possible start (Assembly Bill 2759 of 2008).
Jones also authored legislation in 2010 which sought to regulate pet insurance
Pet insurance
Pet health insurance pays the veterinary costs if one's pet becomes ill or is injured in an accident. Some policies will also pay out when the pet dies, or if it's lost or stolen....
by requiring pet insurance companies to be more specific about which types coverage will be provided. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and did not become law.
2008 Sacramento mayor race
Jones was mentioned by several people as a potential opponent for Mayor Heather FargoHeather Fargo
Heather Fargo is a former Mayor and former City Council Member of Sacramento, California. She was sworn in as Mayor in November 2000, replacing Jimmie Yee, and served until December 2008, when she was replaced by Kevin Johnson.-Early life and education:Heather Fargo grew up in Davis, Santa Maria,...
in 2008 due to his experience in local politics. However, Jones decided not to run and endorsed the mayor in her unsuccessful reelection bid against former NBA star and non profit director Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson
Kevin Maurice Johnson is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. He is Sacramento's first African American mayor. Prior to entering politics, Johnson was a basketball player in the NBA, playing point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns...
.
2008 Presidential election
Jones supported Democrat Barack Obama in his race against Republican John McCain in the November 2008 Presidential Election. Jones' 2011 inauguration speech indicated his strong support for implementing Obama's health care reform law in California.2010 bid for Insurance Commissioner
On November 13, 2008, Jones announced his campaign California State Insurance Commissioner in 2010, a statewide elected office as Republican incumbent Steve PoiznerSteve Poizner
Stephen Leo "Steve" Poizner is an American businessman/entrepreneur and conservative Republican politician, who was elected State Insurance Commissioner of California in November 2006, and concluded the 4 year term in January 2011...
was expected to run for Governor. Jones announced, "The insurance commissioner should be a strong advocate for consumers," he said. "I think with my background and experience, I would be a very strong advocate." He was quickly been endorsed by State Senate President Darrell Steinberg
Darrell Steinberg
Darrell Steven Steinberg is a Democratic politician from Sacramento, California. He is currently serving his second term in the California State Senate, representing the 6th District. He has been the Senate President Pro Tem since 2008...
and State Controller John Chiang
John Chiang
John Chiang Hsiao-yen , formerly surnamed Chang , is a Kuomintang politician in Taiwan.-Biography:He and his twin brother, Winston Chang, both illegitimate, were born the sons of Chiang Ching-kuo and his mistress Chang Ya-juo in Guilin amid the Sino-Japanese War...
. Jones' main opponent in the Democratic primary was Los Angeles Assembly Member Hector De La Torre
Hector De La Torre
Hector De La Torre is an American politician from Los Angeles County, California who served in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010. A Democrat, he represented the largely Latino 50th Assembly district...
.
Jones won the Democratic Party endorsement by receiving just over 60 percent of the delegate votes at the California Democratic Party's convention in Los Angeles on April 18, 2010. Jones defeated De La Torre in the Democratic Primary.
Jones won 3,544,003 votes in general election defeating Republican State Assemblyman Mike Villines, who received 2,650,383 votes.
Personal life
Jones and his wife, Kim Flores, live in the Curtis Park neighborhood of SacramentoSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
and have two young children, Isabelle and William.