Contributed by Tahirah Amatul - Wadud Esq.
Gregory I. Jones has entered the race for Alaska House of Representatives District 8. Jones, a resident of Alaska for seven years, is running as a democrat. “I was born in the days of Dr. Martin Luther King,” says Jones. “I am focused on presenting common sense solutions to the matters facing Alaskans. We are concerned about job training and security, women’s rights and curbing and treating drug addiction. I am uniquely qualified to represent District 8 in addressing these very important priorities,” said Jones.
Jones is a certified, IBEW, master electrician and has worked in the industry for more than 30 years. Jones and his wife Maleika, have eight children and 10 grandchildren. After moving from South Carolina to Alaska in 2009, the family continued being active in interfaith initiatives and local politics as well as the local NAACP. Jones and Maleika have served as volunteer chaplains at the University of Alaska Anchorage to the Muslim student organization. Both recently completed the Anchorage Police and Fire Chaplins Association Citizens Police Academy. Jones was born in D.C. and spent most of his adult life with his wife in South Carolina.
“For the past 25 years, we have been active in advocating for civil rights and social justice,” said Maleika. “We relocated to Alaska to provide our family with a peaceful environment and to continue our work of spreading peace, education and tolerance. It is a decision we do not regret,” she stated.
This is Jones’ first run for public office. Jones says he has garnered considerable attention since making the announcement. “Whether it is in my employment or community service work, people know me and know that I have great ideas and ability to address the needs of our local community,” said Jones. He says he has developed relationships with many community people who support his candidacy and he is currently scheduling outreach events with local constituents.
Jones was elected to represent Alaska at the National Democratic Convention in Philadelphia in July. “It is an honor to be elected from among so many qualified contenders. There is such positive energy coming from Alaska in its role in the national convention.
Candidates will compete in the primary race on August 16 and final candidates will meet in the general election on November 8.
For more information on Gregory Jones’s campaign follow him on social media Facebook@Greg Jones for House or contact him via email GregoryJonesAlaska@gmail.com.