Sam Jones (Alabama politician)

Samuel Leon Jones (born April 14, 1947) is an American politician who is a member of the Alabama House of Representatives representing district 99. Jones was the first African-American mayor of Mobile, Alabama, serving from September 2005 until August 2013. He ran on a platform of safety, efficient government, historic preservation and bringing new employers to the city.[2]

Sam Jones
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 99th district
Assumed office
November 7, 2018
Preceded byJames Buskey
107th Mayor of Mobile
In office
September 2005 – August 2013
Preceded byMike Dow
Succeeded bySandy Stimpson
Mobile County Commissioner, District 1
In office
1987–2005
Preceded byDouglas Wicks
Succeeded byJuan Chastang
Personal details
Born (1947-04-14) April 14, 1947[1]
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic[n 1]
Alma materJacksonville University
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Navy
UnitUSS Forrestal (CV-59)

Early life and education

Jones is a graduate of Central High School and attended Florida Junior College and Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Career

Jones served for nine years in the United States Navy, where he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. While he was in the military, his commanding officer was John McCain, future senator from Arizona and presidential candidate.

After leaving the Navy, Jones worked as the executive director of Mobile Community Action, Inc. from 1980 until 1987.[2] He got involved in politics through the Democratic Party and was elected to four terms as a Mobile County Commissioner.

In September 2005 he ran for Mayor of Mobile and was elected.[3][4] He served two four-year terms, winning re-election in 2009. On August 27, 2013, Jones was defeated by Sandy Stimpson in the 2013 mayoral election.[5]

On October 29, 2013, the Mobile City Council unanimously voted to pass a resolution to rename Mobile Government Plaza as the Samuel L. Jones Government Plaza for his service to the city. Official renaming of the building is pending approval by the Mobile County Commission.[6]

In 2018, Jones was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 99.[7]

References
  1. "Jones, Samuel L." Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  2. "Mayor Samuel L. Jones". "City of Mobile". Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  3. "Dean Congratulates Sam Jones, First Black Mayor of Mobile, Alabama on Victory". "Democrats.org. September 16, 2005. Archived from the original on December 18, 2006. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  4. "New Leadership for Mobile" (PDF). The Business View. Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. XXXVI (10): 4–5. November 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011.
  5. , WKRG
  6. "AL.com". "Mobile City Council votes to rename Government Plaza after Sam Jones". Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  7. Alexander, Steve (November 6, 2018). "Sam Jones wins seat in Alabama House of Representatives". Fox 10. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.

Notes
  1. Municipal offices in Alabama are elected on a non-partisan ballot and so while Mayor Jones is technically a member of the Democratic Party, he was not formally elected to the mayor's office as an official "on the ballot" Democratic candidate.

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