Venton Jones
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Venton Jones
|birth_name = Venton C. Jones, Jr.
|birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
|state_house = Texas
|district = 100th
|term_start = January 10, 2023
|term_end =
|predecessor = Jasmine Crockett
|successor =
|party = Democratic{{Cite web|url=https://www.ventonfor100.com/meet-venton|title=Meet Venton|work=VentonFor100|access-date=January 25, 2023}}
|alma_mater = Texas A&M University (BS)
University of Texas at Arlington (MS)
|known_for = Prevention of HIV/AIDS
}}
Venton C. Jones Jr. is an American politician and non-profit CEO serving as the representative for the Texas State House's 100th district since 2023. Known for his advocacy for black gay men and those with HIV, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2022 to represent the central Dallas County district. A member of the Democratic Party, Jones is the first HIV-positive member of the Texas Legislature.{{Cite web|title=The First HIV-Positive Texas House Member |publisher=VICE News |website=YouTube |date=August 15, 2023 |url=https://youtube.com/hgIYryh1egY |access-date=August 22, 2023}}
Early life and education
Jones was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health at Texas A&M University and his Master of Science degree in Health Care Administration form the University of Texas at Arlington.
Career
After graduating, Jones worked as the Dallas team leader for United Black Ellument, an HIV prevention and intervention project. In 2010, Jones began to work as the communications and education director at the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition. A year later, in 2011, President Obama officially recognized him for his efforts in HIV and public health advocacy.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-29 |title=Justice For All |url=https://www.poz.com/article/Heroes-Venton-Jones-26648-7718 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=POZ |language=en}}
Texas House of Representatives
Jones launched his campaign for the Texas House after incumbent state legislator Jasmine Crockett announced that she would run for office elsewhere, and not seek reelection to the Texas House. In March, 2022, Jones defeated Daniel Clayton and Marquis Hawkins in the Democratic primary election along with Sandra Crenshaw. In May 2022, Jones defeated Crenshaw in the Democratic runoff election. In November 2022, Jones defeated Joe Roberts in the general election, winning 85 percent of the votes. He assumed office in 2023. During his first term in office, Jones authored 16 pieces of legislation,{{Cite web |title=Texas Legislature Online - Report |url=https://capitol.texas.gov/reports/report.aspx?LegSess=88R&ID=author&Code=A4275 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=capitol.texas.gov}} co-authored 63,{{Cite web |title=Texas Legislature Online - Report |url=https://capitol.texas.gov/reports/report.aspx?LegSess=88R&ID=coauthor&Code=A4275 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=capitol.texas.gov}} and joint-authored 36.
In June 2023, Jones announced he would be running for reelection.{{Cite tweet |last=Jones |first=Venton |user=VentonJonesTX |title=Happy to announce that I am running for Re-Election!|number=1671325807388532736 |url=https://twitter.com/VentonJonesTX/status/1671325807388532736?s=20 |access-date=August 22, 2023 |date=June 20, 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}}
= Committee assignments =
Jones serves on the Texas House of Representatives' Corrections Committee, and Public Health Committee.{{Cite web |last=Representatives |first=Texas House of |title=Texas House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.texas.gov/ |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=www.house.texas.gov}}
Personal life
References
{{reflist}}
{{Texas House of Representatives}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Venton}}
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Democratic Party members of the Texas House of Representatives
Category:Texas A&M University alumni
Category:University of Texas at Arlington alumni
Category:21st-century African-American politicians
Category:African-American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century members of the Texas Legislature
Category:LGBTQ state legislators in Texas
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