Stewart Jones
Stewart Jones | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| In office January 2019 – November 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Pitts |
| Succeeded by | Luke Samuel Rankin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 20, 1983 Greenwood, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Website | Campaign website |
Stewart Olin Jones[1] (born March 20, 1983) is an American politician. He is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 14th District, serving from 2019 to 2024. He is a member of the Republican party.[2][3]
Political career
[edit]South Carolina House of Representatives
[edit]Jones was a founding member of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus,[4][5] and an Executive Committee Member of the SC House Family Caucus.[6] He chaired the Early Childhood Development Committee.[7] Jones served as 2nd Vice Chair of the House Interstate Cooperation Committee, and also served on the House Education and Public Works Committee.[8]
Jones was one of three legislators who wrote to the Governor on April 15, 2020, saying "we cannot support labeling businesses as 'non-essential' — much less ordering them to close."[9] On April 29, the three lawmakers including Jones urged House Speaker Jay Lucas, "to reconvene members of the House of Representatives, under the belief the House might be able to vote to end Gov. McMaster's newest "State of Emergency" in response to the coronavirus."[10]
Jones held a press conference on the steps of the state capital in Columbia, announcing plans to bring the signed petitions straight to the governor's desk.
"They don't want to ask the government for any assistance, they want their freedom, they want to be able to run their business and run their lives," said Jones.[11]
In December 2021, passed 3126,[12][13] a bill to ban federal COVID vaccine mandates[14][15][16] and a proviso to prohibit forced masking, COVID vaccines, and COVID tests in South Carolina K-12 schools.[17][18] He also passed provisos to ban forced masking, COVID testing and vaccines in state funded universities and schools.[19]
In 2021, Jones led 36 lawmakers on a petition demanding the state school board association's withdrawal from the National School Boards Association.[20]
Jones supported the Fetal Heartbeat Bill,[21] which was signed into law with exceptions.[22] In 2023, Jones was one of 21 Republican co-sponsors of the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023, which would make women who had abortions eligible for the death penalty.[23][24]
Jones helped to pass the First Steps Act of South Carolina in August 2023 "ensuring every child in South Carolina has an opportunity to have a great education and a future."[25]
U.S. House of Representatives campaign
[edit]In March 2024, Jones filed to run for South Carolina Congressional District 3 House of Representatives when incumbent Jeff Duncan announced that he would not seek re-election.[26][27][28] Among the field of seven candidates vying for the Republican nomination, Jones placed 4th in the June primary.[29] Jones was succeeded in the State House by Luke Samuel Rankin.
References
[edit]- ^ RealtyHop. "Stewart Olin Jones - Property Records Search | RealtyHop". www.realtyhop.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
- ^ "South Carolina House Conservatives Form Own Freedom Caucus". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- ^ "South Carolina Freedom Caucus". Twitter. November 10, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- ^ "SC Family Caucus". Family Caucus of the South Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Legislator Information". services.statescape.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "House Standing Committees". South Carolina Legislature. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Kirk. "3 Upstate legislators urge Gov. McMaster to allow SC businesses to reopen during pandemic". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Tripp, Drew (2020-04-29). "SC lawmakers want to overrule McMaster, end state of emergency & reopen businesses". WCIV. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "'They want their freedom' | Some in SC advocating for reopening of hair salons". www.wcnc.com. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Chhetri, Devyani. "South Carolina House Republicans make plans to oppose Biden's vaccine mandate". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "2021-2022 Bill 3126: Vaccine mandates - South Carolina Legislature Online". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Stewart, Brenda (2022-05-02). "Medical Freedom Bill Signed into Law in South Carolina". Who's On The Move. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Green, Mary (2021-12-10). "SC House passes controversial bill banning some vaccine mandates". www.live5news.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "SC House passes COVID-19 vaccine mandate ban bill". WSPA 7NEWS. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Adcox, Seanna (2021-07-29). "SC school officials say they won't mandate masks despite CDC advice: 'Our hands are tied'". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Mintzer, Adam (2021-08-11). "How the state budget blocked SC schools from implementing mask mandates". www.wistv.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Stansell, Kaitlin (2021-06-10). "Schools, universities could lose funding if they require masks, COVID testing or vaccines". www.live5news.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Chhetri, Devyani. "SC School Board Association leaves national group after pressure from parents, lawmakers". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Who voted for, against South Carolina's Fetal Heartbeat Act?". wcnc.com. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "2023-2024 Bill 474: Abortion - Fetal Heartbeat". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "H. 3549". South Carolina General Assembly.
- ^ Stuart, Tessa (March 13, 2023). "21 South Carolina GOP Lawmakers Propose Death Penalty for Women Who Have Abortions". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "McMaster signs bill to permanently authorize First Steps". WSPA 7NEWS. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ Chandler, Alvieann (January 29, 2024). "SC Rep. Stewart Jones announces campaign for Congress". Fox Carolina. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Holdman, Jessica (January 23, 2024). "Rep. Stewart Jones, original member of hardline Freedom Caucus, will run for SC 3rd District". News From the States. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Jones announces bid for SC Third Congressional District". Go Laurens. January 29, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-12-11.