| State House: | Mississippi |
| District: | 12th |
| Term Start: | January 5, 2016 |
| Term End: | January 7, 2020 |
| Predecessor: | Brad Mayo |
| Successor: | Clay Deweese |
| Birth Date: | 28 August 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Party: | Democrat |
| Spouse: | Cris Moroney |
| Children: | 1 |
| Education: | Nicholls State University (BA) University of Mississippi (JD) |
| Allegiance: |  United States |
| Serviceyears: | 1981–1984 (Active) 1984–1988 (Reserve) |
| Unit: | 1st Cavalry Division |
J. P. "Jay" Hughes Jr. (born August 28, 1963) is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 12th District for four years, being first elected in 2015.[1] [2]
Hughes was born in Houston, Texas and earned a bachelor's degree in Business and Economics at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.[3] Hughes is a 1991 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, and a practicing attorney in Oxford, Mississippi.[4]
Hughes served in the US Army from 1981-1984 and served in the Army Reserves from 1984-1988. He is an expert marksman and served at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina, Ft. Gordon in Georgia and Ft. Hood in Texas, as well as temporary duty in Michigan, England, France and Germany.[5]
In 2013, Hughes began his political career when he was elected to Alderman of Ward 1 of Oxford, Mississippi, defeating Ney Williams.[6] Hughes campaigned on issues of streamlined decision making for the Oxford Board of Aldermen, responsible growth, and better partnerships between the City of Oxford and University of Mississippi.[7]
Hughes was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives on November 3, 2015 when he defeated Republican Brad Mayo with 55.1% of the vote.[8] Hughes donated his Alderman and Legislative session salaries to his local school districts and also volunteers as a substitute teacher in order to learn more about the troubles and issues public school teachers and students face.[9]
He and his wife were jointly awarded 2012 Oxford School District Citizen of the Year.[10]
On May 3, 2018 Hughes announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2019.[11] He lost to the Republican challenger.
Hughes served on Judiciary A; Judiciary En Banc; Medicaid; Accountability, Efficiency & Transparency; and Constitution committees. The House introduced 1,789 bills, and 376 became law.[12] Hughes supported the maintenance of state roads and bridges, and a campaign finance and ethics reform measure.
Hughes again served on Judiciary A; Judiciary En Banc; Medicaid; Accountability, Efficiency & Transparency; and Constitution committees.[13]