Elizabeth Ames Jones
Elizabeth Ames Jones (b. October 29, 1956) was a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, a regulatory body that oversees the oil and natural gas industries in Texas, from 2005 - 2012. She was serving as Chair when she resigned on February 13, 2012.[1]
Biography
Jones was first elected to represent District 121 in the Texas House of Representatives where she defeated Bill Siebert in the Republican primary. She was re-elected to the state House in 2002 and 2004, then stepped down in January 2005 to accept an appointment by Gov. Rick Perry to fill a vacancy on the Railroad Commission. Sworn into the office of Railroad Commissioner on March 2, 2005, Jones was elected to serve a six-year term in November 2006. On November 7, 2011, Jones announced that she would be running for the Texas state senate seat for District 25 against incumbent Jeff Wentworth.[2]
Education
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A., Journalism (1978)
Political career
- Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission (2005-February 2012)
- Chair, Railroad Commission of Texas, (2005-2007)
- Appointed, Railroad Commissioner, State of Texas, (2005)
- Representative, Texas State House of Representatives, District 121 (2001-2004)
Campaign themes
Jones' website highlighted the following campaign themes:[3]
2nd Amendment Rights
- Excerpt: "This amendment is the foundation for all the others and I remaindedicated at every turn to uphold our constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. This is why I was given an "A" rating by the National Rifle Association during both of my terms in the Texas House of Representatives."
Education
- Excerpt: "As an advocate of parental choice in education, including charter schools and home schooling, I recognize the choice of parents in the education of their children. I believe that home schooling and charter schools are an integral components of that choice."
Energy
- Excerpt: "As Chairwoman of the Texas Railroad Commission, our energy oversight agency, I oversaw one of the most exciting periods in Texas energy history. I will always work hard to leave Texas better than I found it, and you can continue to count on me in the Texas Senate."
Faith and Family
- Excerpt: "I am 100% pro-life and my record in the Texas Legislature proves it. I do not compromise my values and will fight for the rights of Texas' unborn. As a Texas State Representative I co-authored the Laci Peterson Act which recognized the life of an unborn child by making the pregnant mother and her baby two separate victims in violent crimes."
Elections
2012
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2012
Jones ran in the 2012 election for Texas State Senate, District 25. Jones was defeated by Donna Campbell and incumbent Jeff Wentworth in the May 29 primary election.[4][5]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Jeff Wentworth (advanced to runoff) Incumbent |
35.8% | 27,050 |
| Donna Campbell (advanced to runoff) |
33.7% | 25,470 |
| Elizabeth Ames Jones | 30.5% | 23,085 |
| Total Votes | 75,605 | |
2006
On November 7, 2006, Elizabeth Ames Jones won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. She defeated Dale Henry (D) and Tabitha Serrano (L) in the general election.
| Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Elizabeth Ames Jones Incumbent |
54% | 2,269,743 | |
| Democratic | Dale Henry | 41.7% | 1,752,947 | |
| Libertarian | Tabitha Serrano | 4.2% | 177,648 | |
| Total Votes | 4,200,338 | |||
| Election results via Texas Secretary of State. | ||||
Endorsements
2012
In 2012, Jones endorsements include the following:[6]
- Peter Holt, Chairman and CEO, Holt Cat Machines & Engines
- Hon. Susan Reed, Bexar County District Attorney
- Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Magazine
- Steven F. Hotze, M.D., President, Conservative Republicans of Texas
Note: Jones has obtained numerous other 2012 endorsements, which are listed on her campaign website, here.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Jones is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Alamo Heights High School. In 1978, she earned a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She and her husband, William C. Jones, IV, are the parents of two children.
See also
External links
- Official campaign website
- Railroad Commission of Texas official website
- Commissioner Jones' website (dead link)
- Jones' official biography (dead link)
- Official campaign Facebook
- Official campaign Twitter
- Official campaign Youtube
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Texas Railroad Commissioner Jones Resigns," February 13, 2012
- ↑ "Elizabeth Ames Jones leaves U.S. Senate race to run for State Senate," "Houston Chronicle" November 9, 2011
- ↑ jonesfortexas.com - Home
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Office of the (Texas) Secretary of State, "Race Summary Report," accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ jonesfortexas.com - Endorsements
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Texas Railroad Commission 2005-2012 |
Succeeded by Buddy Garcia (R) |
