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Arthur J. Jones
Jones (facing away from the camera)
Personal details
Born
Arthur Joseph Jones

(1948-01-01) January 1, 1948 (age 76)
Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Other political
affiliations		American Nazi
Populist
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Known forHolocaust denial[1]
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1969–1971
Battles/warsVietnam War
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Arthur Joseph Jones (born January 1, 1948) is an American neo-Nazi, Holocaust denier and perennial candidate.[2][3][4][5] After running unopposed in the primary election, he was the Republican candidate for Illinois's 3rd congressional district in the November 2018 midterm elections, losing to Democrat Dan Lipinski.

Early life and career

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Jones was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Lillian Jones, a Sunday School teacher and Arthur Joseph Jones Sr., a factory worker and World War II veteran.[6] He graduated from high school in 1967. He joined the United States Army in 1969 and served in Vietnam for one year during the Vietnam War.[7][8] He studied at University of Wisconsin–Whitewater from 1974 and majored in political science and journalism.[9]

Jones is an independent insurance broker who worked in commission sales for large insurance companies for 25 years.[7]

Politics

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Affiliations

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Jones was a member of the National Socialist White People's Party for eight years[10] and describes himself as a former leader of the American Nazi Party, the NSWPP's former name.[1] He has also been a member of the Populist Party, a far-right political party active in the 1980s and 1990s.[11]

Candidacy

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A perennial candidate, Jones has run for various elected offices since 1976, but has never won an office. In that year, Jones unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[12] In 1987, he unsuccessfully ran for alderman of the 13th Ward of Chicago.[12] As of 2018, Jones had run for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican eight times; in 1984, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2018.[12] In 1989 Jones had attempted to run for mayor of Chicago, but was denied inclusion on the Republican primary ballot due to issues regarding his candidature petition.[13]

In 2017, Jones declared his intent to run for the Republican nomination for Congress from Illinois's 3rd congressional district in 2018; he was the only declared candidate of that party. His candidacy was repudiated by the Illinois Republican Party[4][3] and the Republican National Committee. RNC spokesperson Michael Ahrens stated, "We condemn this candidate and his hateful rhetoric in the strongest possible terms".[14] Jones won the primary unopposed on March 20, 2018, and moved on to face Democratic incumbent Dan Lipinski in the general election. Following his primary victory, Republican party officials encouraged members not to vote for Jones.[15][16] Despite the GOP disavowing him, 26.2 percent of voters still voted for him in the general election on November 6, 2018, as he lost by more than 47 points.[17] When Republicans ran for the seat in the previous ten years they earned 35.4%, 31.5%, 24.3%, and 21.4% of their respective votes.[citation needed]

Jones ran for Congress in Illinois's 3rd congressional district again in 2020 and was described as a "fake Republican" by the party whose nomination he was attempting to gain. One of the party's digital ads ran with the slogan "Say No To The Nazi".[18] He placed a poor third in the eventual result of the primaries.[19]

Views

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Jones is a white nationalist and Holocaust denier.[3][4][20][12] His 2018 candidate website calls the Holocaust a "racket." He has claimed that the Holocaust was "the biggest, blackest lie in history"[16] and "nothing more than an international extortion racket by the Jews."[11][21] Jones does not support interracial marriage or integration in public schools.[16] In 1993, Jones was filmed in a fight with Milwaukee Alderman Michael McGee Jr. on The Jerry Springer Show.[22] Jones also “saluted” Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan for his views about Jews, as well as referring to Jews as the enemy.[23]

A neo-Nazi, Jones appears in a photo captioned: "Jones was a guest speaker at the event organized by the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, based in North Carolina"; the image is in a slideshow on his own official candidate website.[24] The same slideshow has another image (captioned "Arthur Jones speaking in Harrisburg Penn., on November 5, 2016") showing him among black-clothed men who hold a National Socialist Movement banner and carry shields marked with the neo-Nazi circle-cross emblem.[25] The same slideshow has an image showing Jones speaking amid Aryan Nations emblems (caption: "Art Jones speaking at the Aryan Nations 2014 World Congress in Converse, La.")[26]

Jones has attended many rallies commemorating Adolf Hitler or supporting white supremacy.[11] Jones considers himself a "white racialist" and has stated "I will work with the [Ku Klux] Klan, with socialists—I exclude communists of course—any patriotic organization that is in general agreement with my beliefs and principles".[10]

In 2016, he was a supporter of Donald Trump for president. Jones said in an interview then, "I agree with a lot of what Mr. Trump has to say [...] He's his own man. I like the fact that doesn't have to go hat in hand to Jewish billionaires to get money".[27] In February 2018, Jones nonetheless said President Trump "surrounded himself with hordes of Jews", and regrets his 2016 vote.[12] At a neo-Nazi meeting in Kentucky, Jones said that Trump "surrounded himself with hordes of Jews including a Jew in his own family, that punk named Jared Kushner", and moved on to say "I'm sorry I voted for the son of a bitch, pardon my English" and that Trump was "nothing but a puppet … this Jew-loving fool", all of which was also captured on video.[14]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, it takes thousands more signatures to get ballot-approved as an independent candidate than as a Republican; Jones therefore ran in 2016 as a Republican, but the party disavowed him and found technical reasons for removing him from past ballots.[4] Again according to the Sun-Times, Jones took countermeasures in 2017 and 2018 for which the party was unprepared, and so he appeared on their ballot despite official Republican disapproval.[4]

Electoral history

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Milwaukee mayoral primary election, 1976[28][a]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Henry W. Maier 54,796 69.5%
Nonpartisan Jan A. Olson 8,706 11.0%
Nonpartisan Roman R. Blenski 4,964 6.3%
Nonpartisan Arthur J. Jones 4,294 5.4%
Nonpartisan Douglas Tebo 3,183 4.0%
Nonpartisan Teana Wright 1,686 2.1%
Nonpartisan Bernard Sentner 1,201 1.5%
Total votes 78,830 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 1984[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard D. Murphy 6,619 48.6%
Republican Casimir G. Oksas 4,965 36.5%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 2,025 14.9%
Total votes 13,339 100.0%
Chicago City Council Ward 13 election, 1987[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Madrzyk 27,209 82.6%
Nonpartisan James J. O'Connell 4,658 14.2%
Nonpartisan Arthur J. Jones 1,055 3.2%
Total votes 32,922 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 1992[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harry C. Lepinske 8,852 29.3%
Republican John O'Connor 8,708 28.9%
Republican Bill O'Connor 7,419 24.6%
Republican Barbara Purdy 4,389 14.6%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 795 2.6%
Total votes 30,163 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 1996[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Nalepa 20,853 74.7%
Republican Edward J. Schumann 4,167 14.9%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 2,884 10.3%
Total votes 27,904 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 1998[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Marshall 9,553 49.3%
Republican Karl A. Groth 7,424 38.3%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 2,401 12.4%
Total votes 19,378 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2006[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Raymond G. Wardingley 12,603 70.6%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 5,242 29.4%
Total votes 17,845 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2008[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Hawkins 13,722 66.9%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 6,804 33.1%
Total votes 20,526 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2012[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard L. Grabowski 20,895 59.4%
Republican Jim Falvey 10,449 29.7%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 3,861 11.0%
Total votes 35,205 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district general election, 2018[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Lipinski (incumbent) 163,053 73.0%
Republican Arthur J. Jones 57,885 25.9%
Write-in votes Justin Hanson 1,353 0.6%
Write-in votes Kenneth Yerkes 1,039 0.5%
Write-in votes Richard Mayers 4 0.0%
Total votes 223,334 100.0%
Illinois's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2020[38][39][40][41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Fricilone 9,804 57.5%
Republican Catherine O'Shea 5,541 32.5%
Republican Arthur Jones 1,708 10.0%
Total votes 17.053 100.0%

Notes

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  1. ^ The candidates who placed first and second in the primary advanced to the general election.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Holocaust denier, white supremacist likely to be GOP nominee for Congress in Illinois". PBS NewsHour. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  2. ^ Mangan, Dan (21 March 2018). "Neo-Nazi Arthur Jones wins Republican nomination for Illinois congressional seat". CNBC. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Republican Party in Illinois rejects Holocaust denier nominee for Congress". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. February 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e Sweet, Lynn (February 7, 2018). "How Holocaust denier Jones got on ballot: Illinois GOP let guard down". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  5. ^ Stack, Liam (2018-03-21). "Denounced by His Party as a Nazi, Arthur Jones Wins Illinois G.O.P. Congressional Primary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  6. ^ Pick, Grant (July 21, 1994). "Bigot for Hire". Chicago Reader.
  7. ^ a b Wolpoff, Katy (March 6, 2012). "Arthur J. Jones". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Holland, Rebecca (February 5, 2018). "Arthur Jones: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  9. ^ "Arthur Jones' Biography". Vote Smart.
  10. ^ a b Godfrey, Elaine (February 8, 2018). "How a Nazi Made the Ballot in Illinois". The Atlantic. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c "Backgrounder: Arthur Jones". Anti-Defamation League. March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d e Sweet, Lynn; Main, Frank (February 6, 2018). "Holocaust denier poised to claim GOP nomination in Illinois race for Congress". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "State of Illinois, County of Cook, Case No: 88-EB-SMAY-7" (PDF). Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. 19 January 1989.
  14. ^ a b Cortellessa, Eric (February 6, 2018). "Republican National Committee condemns Holocaust-denying GOP House candidate". The Times of Israel. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  15. ^ Stack, Liam (March 20, 2018). "Denounced by His Party as a Nazi, Arthur Jones Wins Illinois G.O.P. Congressional Primary". The New York Times. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c Briscoe, Tony (February 5, 2018). "Holocaust denier likely to appear on ballot for GOP for Chicago-area congressional seat". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  17. ^ "Illinois election results 2018" The Washington Post.
  18. ^ Sfondeles, Tina (March 4, 2020). "Illinois GOP targets Holocaust denier Arthur Jones with 'Say No To The Nazi' ads". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  19. ^ "Illinois Primary Election Results: Third House District". The New York Times. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  20. ^ "GOP candidate: 'Yes, I deny the Holocaust' - CNN Video", CNN, February 8, 2018, retrieved February 9, 2018
  21. ^ "How our reporter tracked down the Nazi running for Congress". YouTube. Chicago Sun-Times. February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Walker, Don (March 1, 2012). "Arthur Jones, Nazi who challenged Henry Maier, is back in politics". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  23. ^ King, Wayne (12 October 1985). "White Supremacists Voice Support of Farrakhan". The New York Times.
  24. ^ Art Jones for Congressman (2016–18). "Art Jones for Congressman (candidate official website) "View More Pictures of Art with Family & Friends" slideshow (img 22: 017.jpg)". Retrieved Feb 8, 2018.
  25. ^ Art Jones for Congressman (2016–18). "Art Jones for Congressman (candidate official website) "View More Pictures of Art with Family & Friends" slideshow (img 3: np4.jpg)". Retrieved Feb 8, 2018.
  26. ^ Art Jones for Congressman (2016–18). "Art Jones for Congressman (candidate official website) "View More Pictures of Art with Family & Friends" slideshow (img 7: 002.jpg)". Retrieved Feb 8, 2018.
  27. ^ Swanson, Lorraine (January 26, 2016). "Holocaust Denier Kicked Off Illinois GOP Primary Ballot Likes Trump - Except for One Little Thing". Oak Lawn, IL Patch. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "Milwaukee Mayor - Primary 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "1984 Primary Election results". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 25 March 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Chicago Ward 13 1987". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  31. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  32. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  33. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 1998". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  34. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  35. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  36. ^ "IL District 3 - R Primary 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  37. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  38. ^ "Election Results 2020 Primary - REP - 3/17/2020". Chicago Board of Election Commissions. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  39. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary Election". Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  40. ^ "WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS March 17, 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION". Will County Clerk. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "MARCH 17, 2020 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY". DuPage County Clerk. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
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