Cecil Jones

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Cecil B. Jones

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 3, 2020

Education

Associate

Mississippi Delta Junior College

Bachelor's

Mississippi State University

Law

University of Mississippi Law Center

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1971 - 1973

Personal

Birthplace

Clarksdale, Miss.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Cecil B. Jones (Republican Party) (also known as Burt) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 23rd Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on March 3, 2020.

Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2020

See also: Texas' 23rd Congressional District election, 2020

Texas' 23rd Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Republican primary)

Texas' 23rd Congressional District election, 2020 (March 3 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 23

Tony Gonzales defeated Gina Ortiz Jones and Beto Villela in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 23 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony Gonzales (R)	50.6	149,395
		Gina Ortiz Jones (D)	46.6	137,693
		Beto Villela (L)	2.8	8,369

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,457
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Steven Sanders (Independent)

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 23

Tony Gonzales defeated Raul Reyes Jr. in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Texas District 23 on July 14, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony Gonzales	50.1	12,342
		Raul Reyes Jr.	49.9	12,297

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,639
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 23

Gina Ortiz Jones defeated Efrain Valdez, Rosalinda Ramos Abuabara, Ricardo Madrid, and Jaime Escuder in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 23 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gina Ortiz Jones	66.2	41,718
	Submit photo	Efrain Valdez	11.4	7,163
		Rosalinda Ramos Abuabara	10.9	6,896
	Submit photo	Ricardo Madrid	7.2	4,518
		Jaime Escuder	4.3	2,725

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,020
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Liz Wahl (D)
• Brandyn Waterman (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 23

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 23 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony Gonzales	28.1	11,522
✔		Raul Reyes Jr.	23.3	9,555
		Alma Arredondo-Lynch	13.2	5,391
		Ben Van Winkle	10.8	4,427
		Jeff McFarlin	10.3	4,241
		Sharon Thomas	6.1	2,511
		Cecil B. Jones	3.8	1,552
		Alia Garcia-Ureste	2.5	1,039
		Darwin Boedeker	1.8	745

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,983
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Adam Hansen (R)

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 23

Beto Villela defeated Tim Martinez in the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 23 on March 21, 2020.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Tim Martinez (L)
✔		Beto Villela (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Cecil B. Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jones' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A former legal services attorney, Cecil Jones is a retired US Army Reserve LTC, who recently retired as an Army Civilian Counterintelligence Agent with 32 years of service. A political science major in college, he went on to earn a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Recruited by Army Intelligence in 1987, he serve as a CI Agent in Europe, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, and Honduras. He has traveled on official business in the Middle East and Central/South America. He has attended over 40 separate Army sponsored development courses and was selected to attend the Harvard University month-long Senior Executive Fellow Course in governmental affairs. He is dedicated, experienced, capable and ready to serve all the people of the Texas 23rd Congressional District.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Border Security is an important issue. Construction of the wall is a stop-gap measure which needs to be reinforced with a revamped and comprehensive guest worker and immigration policy.
• A new national energy resource and use policy needs to be drafted which takes into account the balanced use of fossil fuels and zero emission energy sources in order move toward the goal of lower CO2 emissions.
• Veterans has served and sacrificed for our great nation and should be afforded better health care and benefits.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am particularly concerned about the runaway spending in Congress and the lack of a balanced budget. The use of continuing resolutions does not address the need for a firm and focused budget passed within the constraints of the tax revenue generated. The continual deficit spending is placing our great nation on a precarious financial precipice, which is adversely affecting our ability to adequate plan and fund the future for America.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents. The provided me with the focus and determination to make each count and gave me the ability to plan for the future.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

i would recommend the 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln' by Doris Kearns Goodwin. it is a portrait of Lincoln from his ascent from a backwoods lawyer to the President of the United States.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, truthfulness, dedication to duty, and above all loyalty to the American people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honestly, personal courage, frankness, and compassion

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Rather than core responsibilities, I believe core values are required which are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to make an impact on the ability of Congress to work together to a solution to our major issues facing America today.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Nixon - Kennedy debates. This was the first time TV became instrumental in the presidential campaigns. I think I was about 10 years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first paid job was work as electrician's helper. I spent two summer semesters working for an electrical company wiring businesses and commercial buildings in the heat of the summer.

What is your favorite book? Why?

i have literally read thousands of books in my lifetime. I do remember the first book that made an impression on me was Spartacus by Howard Fast.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

i wouldn't want to be a fictional character. My life is exciting as it is.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I think Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts is my earwig and the most inspiring song I can recall.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Everyday is a struggle. It is my strong will and determination that make each day a better one than the day before.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

I have an abundance of experience in dealing with people of various backgrounds and opinions and feel that my skills as a former liaison officer will allow me to work well with my colleagues in Congress.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do have experience in government. I have worked in the executive branch for over 32 years and have learned a how the government operates.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The United States has to firm up its status in the international arena. Either we take the mantle of a leading nation or we have fade from the international scene and become insignificant.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would definitely prefer to be on the House Ethics Committee and the Intelligence Committee, both of which dovetail with my background as a former attorney and counterintelligence officer.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

The terms have been set by law and I see no need at this time to suggest any changes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I do think term limits should be set for the US House of Representative at 5 2-year terms, which would be a total of 10 years of service.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I would enjoy the opportunity to put my extensive leadership skills to good use.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I liked Senator John McCain. He was a great American and cared for our country.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Not at this time.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

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Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

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External links

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Footnotes

[show]

Texas' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Cornyn (R)

Ted Cruz (R)

Representatives

District 1

Nathaniel Moran (R)

District 2

Daniel Crenshaw (R)

District 3

Keith Self (R)

District 4

Pat Fallon (R)

District 5

Lance Gooden (R)

District 6

Jake Ellzey (R)

District 7

Lizzie Fletcher (D)

District 8

Morgan Luttrell (R)

District 9

Al Green (D)

District 10

Michael McCaul (R)

District 11

August Pfluger (R)

District 12

Craig Goldman (R)

District 13

Ronny Jackson (R)

District 14

Randy Weber (R)

District 15

Monica De La Cruz (R)

District 16

Veronica Escobar (D)

District 17

Pete Sessions (R)

District 18

Vacant

District 19

Jodey Arrington (R)

District 20

Joaquin Castro (D)

District 21

Chip Roy (R)

District 22

Troy Nehls (R)

District 23

Tony Gonzales (R)

District 24

Beth Van Duyne (R)

District 25

Roger Williams (R)

District 26

Brandon Gill (R)

District 27

Michael Cloud (R)

District 28

Henry Cuellar (D)

District 29

Sylvia Garcia (D)

District 30

Jasmine Crockett (D)

District 31

John Carter (R)

District 32

Julie Johnson (D)

District 33

Marc Veasey (D)

District 34

Vicente Gonzalez (D)

District 35

Greg Casar (D)

District 36

Brian Babin (R)

District 37

Lloyd Doggett (D)

District 38

Wesley Hunt (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (12)

Vacancies (1)