| Brenden Jones | |
| State House: | North Carolina |
| State: | North Carolina |
| District: | 46th |
| Term Start: | January 1, 2017 |
| Predecessor: | Ken Waddell |
| Birth Name: | Brenden Jones |
| Party: | Republican |
| Residence: | Tabor City, North Carolina |
| Occupation: | Businessman |
Brenden Jones is an American politician and entrepreneur from the state of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the Republican Party, representing the 46th district.[1] He was first elected in November 2016.[2] [3] [4]
Jones has participated in the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 general elections for NC House of Representatives District 46.[5] [6] After losing his first election, the NC Republican Party infused his 2016 campaign with nearly $149K to help him win the seat in the rural 46th Distinct.[7] [8] Before the election, Jones became involved in a physical altercation with his opponent, Tim Benton, and they filed assault charges against each other.[9] [10] The charges were dismissed after the election.
In 2017, Jones introduced HB562, a bathroom bill which would make it harder for transgender people to use public bathrooms by imposing harsher penalties for "trespassing". This was 4 days after partial repeal of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. He is opposed to allowing men and women to share public restrooms and changing facilities.[11] [12]
In 2022, Jones ran unopposed in the election.
Jones has voiced his opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, even for healthcare systems in NC.[13] He voted to end federal unemployment benefits linked to the COVID-19 pandemic relief for workers.[14]
Jones first ran for a seat in the NC House of Representatives in 2014 and lost to incumbent Kenneth Waddell(D). A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 28, 2014. Incumbent Ken Waddell was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Brenden Jones was unopposed in the Republican primary. Waddell defeated Jones in the general election.[5] 2014Jones' website highlighted the following campaign themes:Keeping Taxes Low,Reining in Government Spending,Supporting our Teachers,Stimulating Private-Sector Job Growth,Fighting for Rural Transportation,Standing Strong for Our Values,
Democratic Ken Waddell Incumbent 53.4% 11,551Republican Brenden Jones 46.6% 10,073 Vote totals 21,624[5]
| North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 8, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
| Brenden Jones | Republican | 19,607 | 60.34% | |
| Tim Benton | Democrat | 11,836 | 36.42% | |
| Thomas (Tom) Howell, Jr. | Libertarian | 1,052 | 3.24% |
| North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 6, 2018 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
| Brenden Jones | Republican | 12,687 | 63.35% | |
| Barbara S. Yates-Lockamy | Democrat | 7,339 | 36.65% |
| North Carolina House of Representatives District 46, November 3, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
| Brenden Jones | Republican | 17,555 | 60.7% | |
| Tim Heath | Democrat | 11,369 | 39.3% |
Jones was assigned to the following committees:[18] [19] [20]
Jones is a third generation car dealer.[22] He and his wife, Angela, are the owner of Meares & Jones Funeral Service in Fair Bluff, North Carolina.[23] He is also a deacon at Tabor City Baptist Church.[24]