J. Raymond Jones

J. "The Fox" Raymond Jones, (St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, 1899 - June 9, 1991 New York) African American New York politician. He moved to New York City in 1918. He challenged Tammany Hall leader Carmine DeSapio twice. After a failed campaign seeking support to his candidature in 1958, Jones succeeded in becoming the first black leader of Tammany in 1964. In 1961 Jones supported the election of Robert F. Wagner Jr. as New York mayor, again in contrast to Carmine DeSapio. Jones served as mentor to several younger black politicians who later became prominent in New York politics. This group, known as the "Harlem Clubhouse", included David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, Charles Rangel and Percy Sutton, among others.

References

John C. Walker,The Harlem Fox: J. Raymond Jones at Tammany 1920:1970, New York: State University od New York Press, 1989.

Preceded by Herbert Evans	New York City Council, 21st District 1963–1965	Succeeded by Daniel Diggs
Preceded by Matthew Troy	New York City Council, 5th District 1966–1969	Succeeded by Charles Taylor