William Stafford Jones Explained

William "Stafford" Jones, from Gainesville, Florida, has been implicated in a 2012 scandal involving drawing district lines in favor of Republicans.[1] Jones was on the Florida state delegation for the 2020 Republican National Convention and was a longtime the Chairman of Alachua County Republican Party.[2] [3]

Jones is known for creating dozens of political action committees that have spent millions of dollars in Florida state elections.[4] [5] In 2021, the nonpartisan watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington reported that two of Jones' organizations falsely reported on their tax returns that they engaged in no political activities and failed to disclose more than $1 million in political contributions. Florida Democrats have complained that Jones' organizations have funded spoiler candidates and used deceptive tactics.[6] [7]

In 2012, Jones was a key figure in redrawing Florida's congressional districts that the Florida Supreme Court declared unconstitutional because they were gerrymandered with "partisan intent."[8] [9] Jones helped find citizens to submit maps during the redistricting process that had been pre-drawn by Republican consultants and to provide scripted public comment based on Republican talking points.[10] [11] [12]

References

  1. Web site: Caplan. Andrew. 2019-01-12. Behind the scenes, Bainter pulls strings. 2021-05-21. Gainesville Sun. en.
  2. Web site: Lyons. Dylan. 2021-06-12. The Republican National Convention will be hosted in Florida. 2021-05-21. WCJB. en.
  3. Web site: Henderson. John. 2021-02-26. Watchdog group: Nonprofits broke IRS laws, gave nearly $3 million to Republican campaigns. 2021-05-21. Gainesville Sun. en-US.
  4. Web site: Henderson. John. Watchdog group: Nonprofits broke IRS laws, gave nearly $3 million to Republican campaigns. 2021-05-21. Gainesville Sun. en-US. Jones has been listed on the paperwork of more than 85 political committees registered in Florida that have come and gone, giving contributions to Republican candidates and their causes..
  5. Web site: March. William. 2021-04-26. Tampa Bay GOP congressional candidate suing local Community Patriots group. 2021-05-21. Tampa Bay Times. en. well-known Republican finance maven.
  6. Web site: Curry. Christopher. 2012-09-15. Legislator files elections complaint against Alachua County GOP chief. 2021-05-21. Gainesville Sun. en.
  7. Web site: Morgan. Watkins. 2014-08-16. Robocalls using Crist's words from 2006 defended, assailed. 2021-05-21. Gainesville Sun. en.
  8. Web site: Larrabee. Brandon. 2014-11-26. Redistricting process under scrutiny. 2021-05-21. Miami Herald. en-US. Alachua County Republican Party Chairman Stafford Jones emerges in the testimony and documents as a key figure in the process..
  9. Web site: Prokop. Andrew. 2015-12-05. Florida's Supreme Court has struck another blow against gerrymandering. 2021-05-21. Vox. en.
  10. Web site: Dixon. Matt. Depositions show Florida GOP push for favorable Senate lines. 2021-05-21. Politico. en.
  11. Web site: Deslatte. Aaron. Redistricting records: GOP-led process was an 'illusion'. 2021-05-21. Orlando Sentinel.
  12. Web site: Klas. Mary Ellen. 2015-08-20. Documents Reveal Secret Florida Senate Process to Draw District Maps. 2021-05-21. Miami Herald.

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