Theodore Jones (Michigan)

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

Theodore Jones

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

Brother Rice High School

Bachelor's

Hampton University, 2003

Graduate

University of Michigan, 2009

Ph.D

Michigan State University, 2022

Personal

Birthplace

Philadelphia, Pa.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Senior director

Contact

Personal LinkedIn

Theodore Jones ran for election to the Detroit City Council to represent District 5 in Michigan. He was disqualified from the primary scheduled on August 5, 2025.

Biography

Theodore Jones was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned a high school diploma from Brother Rice High School, a bachelor's degree from Hampton University in 2003, a graduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2009, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2022. His career experience includes working as a senior director.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Detroit, Michigan (2025)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Detroit City Council District 5

Willie Burton and Renata Miller are running in the general election for Detroit City Council District 5 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Willie Burton (Nonpartisan)
		Renata Miller (Nonpartisan)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Detroit City Council District 5

The following candidates ran in the primary for Detroit City Council District 5 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Renata Miller (Nonpartisan)	22.7	3,053
✔		Willie Burton (Nonpartisan)	19.0	2,558
		Esther Haugabook (Nonpartisan)	17.6	2,364
		Tatjana Jackson (Nonpartisan)	15.4	2,075
		George Adams Jr. (Nonpartisan)	13.6	1,829
		Michael Hartt (Nonpartisan)	5.0	671
		Michael Ri'chard (Nonpartisan)	4.6	624
	Submit photo	Kevin Jones (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	1.0	130
	Submit photo	Whitney Clarke (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.1	9
		DeQuincy Hyatt (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	3
	Submit photo	Jerome Shell (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	1
	Submit photo	Alexander Cheatom (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	115

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 13,432
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Bonzetta Ferrell (Nonpartisan)
• Theodore Jones (Nonpartisan)
• Bonnie Warmack Jr. (Nonpartisan)
• Chantel Watkins (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

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2024

See also: Michigan State Board of Education election, 2024

General election

General election for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State Board of Education on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikki Snyder (R)	24.5	2,507,968
✔		Tom McMillin (R)	24.2	2,477,547
		Theodore Jones (D)	23.6	2,413,996
		Adam Zemke (D)	22.6	2,311,379
		Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party)	2.3	234,584
		Scott Boman (L)	1.5	152,846
		Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.9	90,372
	Submit photo	Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.6	56,683

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,245,375
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• N. Jefferey Sparling (G)

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

Theodore Jones and Adam Zemke advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Theodore Jones (D)
✔		Adam Zemke (D)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican convention

Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

Incumbent Tom McMillin and incumbent Nikki Snyder advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Tom McMillin (R)
✔		Nikki Snyder (R)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green convention

Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

N. Jefferey Sparling advanced from the Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 15, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		N. Jefferey Sparling (G)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

Scott Boman advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Scott Boman (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

Ted Gerrard and Christine Schwartz advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 27, 2024.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
✔		Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Working Class Party convention

Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)

Mary Anne Hering advanced from the Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 23, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party)

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	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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Jones in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Theodore Jones did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2024

Theodore Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. 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.

I’m running for the Michigan State Board of Education because education is deeply personal to me. With experience in Detroit Public Schools and a doctorate in educational leadership from Michigan State University, I come from a family of educators. Education transformed my grandfather’s life, lifting our family out of poverty in one generation. Today, however, chronic disinvestment is eroding that opportunity for our students. I’m running to restore the power of education and address the issues that will improve both educational quality and outcomes for all students.

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?

• I will be a tireless advocate for BETTER EDUCATION FUNDING, working alongside parents, students, and educators to:

  - Attract and retain high-quality teachers, - Provide universal preschool for four-year-olds,

  - Offer better interventions for learning and mental health,
  

  - Ensure all students learn in adequately maintained school buildings,

  - Move toward a one-to-one student-to-computer ratio in classrooms.
• ADDRESS COVID-19's IMPACT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT The pandemic has left our students with learning delays and social challenges. I will advocate for: - Funding for high-quality tutoring and intensive learning cohorts, - Increased wraparound services for social development and mental health support.
• FIGHT FOR A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION Michigan’s Constitution guarantees an education, but it doesn’t ensure it’s a high-quality one. I will lead a coalition to amend our Constitution, giving parents the power to demand a truly high-quality education for their children. Together, these initiatives will create better schools and better futures for all Michigan students.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about education policy. Education has the ability to give any child the opportunity for social mobility and to go as far in life that their talents and grit will take them. Ensuring that all schools are equitably funded, and that our students fully recover from the harmful effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on public education, are the responsibilities that we as adults owe children in Michigan.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

As the main policy making and oversight body for public education in our state, the Michigan State Board of Education has a unique role in ensuring that all students who attend public K-12 schools receive a high-quality education and are adequately prepared to succeed in a globally competitive world.

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

The person I look up to the most, aside from my father and grandfathers, is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a man who stood up for his and others’ freedom, knowing that it would more than likely cost him his life. But Dr. King was relentless in pursuing the cause of freedom because all Americans have a birthright to liberty. In doing so, Dr. King greatly contributed to placing the United States at the forefront of expanding the boundaries of human freedom.

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

Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies by John W. Kingdon helped me shape my approach to political philosophy. Namely, it instill an understanding that the ultimate success of any public policy depends on how well it addresses a current problem, garners support within the policy-making community, and creates a window for generating political traction for its adoption.

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

An elected official should be a capable listener, open to input from constituents, and willing to adjust their policy approaches based on their best interests. Officials should also consider opposing views, as no political party has a monopoly on good ideas. Seeking bipartisan consensus on policies that reflect diverse perspectives is essential. Elected officials must also work diligently to represent all constituents and tirelessly pursue policies that improve their lives. Finally, they should be able to clearly articulate their views to build support and consensus on policies that can make a meaningful difference for those they serve.

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

I pride myself on being a good listener and will actively seek the opinions of Michiganders across the state on how our public K-12 schools are serving their families, what changes they would like to see, and which programs they would like expanded. Additionally, I believe experience is a key quality for a successful officeholder. I bring experience as a teacher, school social worker, and central office administrator for a school district. If elected to the Michigan State Board of Education, my understanding of effective education delivery, the social-emotional needs of students, and the intricacies of how local school districts operate will ensure that the policymaking I engage in is informed by real-world best practices.

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

The core responsibility for someone elected to the State Board of Education is, first and foremost, to be an education leader. They must have a firm understanding of education policy and the effects their policy-making decisions will have on intermediate school districts and local school districts.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I would like to leave is that I helped to fundamentally improve education quality for all students. Since 2008, Michigan has cut education funding by $5 billion, leaving us ranked 41st in the nation. This has real consequences: 72% of our fourth graders and 76% of our eighth graders are not reading at grade level, and 20% of our high schoolers are not graduating on time. I want to leave a legacy as a tireless education leader who fought for increased education funding, helped our public school system fully recover from the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and championed the fundamental right for every Michigan student to receive a high-quality education.

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

The first historical event I remember was watching the fall of the Berlin Wall on television after I had just turned nine years old. I did not understand it all at the time, but I remember the overwhelming celebration of Germans on and around the wall as they took sledgehammers and other hammers to break it down. Years later, I fully understood the celebration as an outgrowth of a people who were finally free from an oppressive system that controlled their lives and separated families across an arbitrary wall.

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

My first job was working for a Costco for a summer before I went to college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible, because it has everything. From how to be a better person, to being a better leader, to forming a relationship with God that brings meaning to all other portions of my life.

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

Yoda. Because of his wisdom.

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

Exile by Taylor Swift and Bon Iver

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The responsibility that I personally consider most important for a State Board of Education member is to provide adequate oversight to ensure that school districts are delivering a high-quality education to their students. This means ensuring that local school districts have the guidance and tools they need to deliver such an education. It also involves ensuring that proper accountability measures, interventions, and, most importantly, supports are made available to school districts.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Michigan State Board of Education has policy-making powers that can dramatically improve how K-12 education is delivered in our state, the quality of curriculum offered by school districts, the types and effectiveness of assessments used, the quality of educators we attract and retain, and overall equity in Michigan schools.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that an understanding of how state government and politics operate is important. I also believe that experience in delivering education to students and knowing how schools and school districts deliver that education can provide beneficial insights for improving education quality overall in Michigan.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

A practical understanding of education policy and its implications for school districts, as well as prior experience in delivering education and knowing how a school district operates, are essential. Additionally, skills such as curiosity, listening, and innovative thinking are key to being an effective Michigan State Board of Education member.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Knock-knock.

Who's there?
Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin who?
Don't you know me?

-From MASH

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, SEIU Michigan.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am a strong proponent of financial transparency and accountability in government. Constituents should have the fullest visibility possible into how their dollars are being spent and the decisions being made in their name.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I am supportive of the current state ballot initiative process.

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.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Jones completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• Chalkbeat Detroit

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Theodore Jones campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Michigan State Board of Education	Lost general	$23,765	$0
Grand total			$23,765	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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