The Case for Jones

Mondaire Jones, a Spring Valley native and a graduate of East Ramapo public schools, is currently running to represent  New York’s 17th Congressional District. Formerly serving CD 17 from 2021 – 2023, Jones is a Democratic candidate running against incumbent Mike Lawler in what is proving to be a tight race. In an interview with RCT, Jones displayed a focus on affordable healthcare and housing, women’s healthcare, and diversity and inclusion in the Lower Hudson Valley. 

Prior to his tenure in Congress, Jones earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. After graduation, Jones worked at the Department of Justice during the Obama administration and went on to become a graduate of Harvard Law School. Jones practiced as a lawyer in the Westchester County Attorney’s Office, as well as a law clerk for a member of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

Jones grew up in Section 8 housing, raised by a single mother who worked several jobs to support their family. When childcare was too expensive for their family, Jones’ grandmother would bring Jones with her to her job cleaning homes in Rockland. Jones recalled how he watched his grandmother “…[work] past the age of retirement just to pay for the high cost of prescription drugs”. This element of his childhood has greatly informed Jones’ priorities in his legislation today. “I told myself that if I ever got an opportunity to do something about that I would, and I did”, stated Jones. This statement came in reference to the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill that Jones identified as the legislation he is most proud of voting into law. 

Jones stated that he aspires to “continue in the tradition that defines [his] first term in Congress – which is going to events in the community and always pushing back on bigotry, whenever it rears its ugly head”. Jones also stated that he plans on representing the diverse communities through “leading legislatively” as well as “public appearance and through organizing efforts on behalf of the Jewish community, on behalf of the Haitian community, on behalf of the Hispanic community and other…communities all throughout the 17th Congressional District”. Jones  stressed the importance of implementing “…a staff that reflects the diversity of the community and has relationships and lived experiences that help me to deliver the best constituent services and representation that one can provide in Congress”. 

A political issue at the forefront of Jones’ campaign has been women’s healthcare and reproductive rights. He is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and has stated that he would vote in favor of codifying Roe v. Wade by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act, or WHPA. This would mean ensuring the right to access abortions and protecting healthcare provider’s right to perform them. The WHPA would override state specific legislation regarding abortion care, providing nationwide healthcare services. Jones stated that he is passionate about “…restoring women’s reproductive freedom because I know what it’s like to be discriminated against myself”. When elected in 2021, Jones made history when he was one of the first openly gay Black men elected to serve in the United States House. 

When it comes to the housing crisis in the Lower Hudson Valley, Jones stated that he plans to work on “…investing in making housing affordable by, for example, fully funding the Section 8 housing program, which currently has a years long waiting period”. Jones also cited the State and Local Taxes, or SALT Deduction, which capped SALT deductions at $10,000 per household, as a huge detriment to CD-17. He stated that there must be a Democratic Congress in order to “…fully restore a SALT Deduction”. 

Jones stated that he supports passing an assault weapons ban and implementing a universal background check law, referencing the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994-2004. He is endorsed by Giffords and Moms Demand Action as a Gun Sense Candidate. 

Jones ended his interview with RCT by emphasizing the need to flip the house to a Democratic Congress in order to enact progressive policies and protect underrepresented communities in the county and the country.