Phillip Jones
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones
27th Mayor of Newport News, Virginia
Assumed office
January 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)[lower-alpha 1]
Preceded byMcKinley L. Price
Personal details
Born (1989-09-19) September 19, 1989
Political partyDemocratic
Domestic partner(s)Jamila Wynter, M.D.
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy, Harvard University
OccupationPolitician, Consultant, Marine
Websitehttps://www.nnva.gov/1012/Phillip-D-Jones-Mayor
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service2012 - 2018 (Active), 2018 - present (Reserves)
Rank Major

Phillip Damon Jones (born September 19, 1989) is an American politician and the current mayor of Newport News, Virginia.[2] He is the 27th and youngest directly elected mayor of the Virginia city.[3][lower-alpha 2]

Early life and Career

Jones was born on September 19, 1989, at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.[5] His father, Daryl Jones, was an F-15 pilot, and his mother, Martha Stevenson-Jones was a KC-135 navigator in the United States Air Force.[6] When Jones was a teenager, the family moved to Hampton Roads, Virginia. He graduated from Hampton Christian Academy in 2008.[7] Jones attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on a Vice Presidential nomination.[8] In 2012, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in history and a commission in the United States Marine Corps.[9]

Jones served six years as a Marine Corps infantry officer with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. He currently serves as a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.[10]

After leaving the military, Jones attended Harvard University, receiving a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.[11] After graduate school, Jones joined a global management consulting firm focusing on social impact and public sector strategy.[12]

Political record

Jones was elected to office on Nov 8, 2022, winning with 40% of the vote over three members of the city council.[13]

During his election, he was endorsed by Governor Terry McAuliffe and State Senator Mamie Locke. Prior to becoming mayor, Jones was a member of the Newport News Planning Commission for two years. He was sworn into office on January 10, 2023.[14]

2022 Newport News, Virginia, mayoral election[15]
Candidate Votes  %
Phillip Jones 19,441 40.29%
Saundra Cherry 7,868 16.31%
Dave Jenkins 11,637 24.12%
Tina Vick 9,055 18.77%
Total votes 48,001 100%

Mayor of Newport News

On June 1, 2023, Jones officially recognized June as Pride Month and announced the city's first Pride festival.[16]

Personal life

Jones is a member of the Omega Psi Phi (ΩΨΦ) fraternity. He is engaged to Jamila Wynter, M.D.[17]

Notes

  1. ↑ Jones' term officially began on January 1 although he was not sworn in until January 10.[1]
  2. ↑ Mayor Barry Duval was the youngest mayor of the Virginia City, but was made mayor by the City Council rather than an election.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones advocates for housing, transportation funding during White House visit". Daily Press. January 3, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Phillip Jones, Mayor". Newport News Virginia.gov. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Businessman Phillip Jones wins election for Newport News mayor". Daily Press. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "High Profile: Barry E Duval". Daily Press. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "MBA Profiles". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ↑ Greenblatt, Alan. "Leadership Lessons from a 33-Year-Old Mayor". Governing.com. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Hampton Christian Academy Alumni". Hampton Christian Academy. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "Phillip D. Jones, Mayor". Newport News.gov. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Commencement Speaker: The Honorable Phillip Jones". Virginia Peninsula Community College. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Recipient: (CAPT) PHILLIP JONES". Timothy T. Day Foundation. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  11. ↑ White, April. "Skydeck: "Solider On"". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Janney, JOsh. "Mayor-elect Phillip Jones hopes to bring change, fresh perspective to Newport News". Daily Press. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Newport News' newly elected mayor speaks 1 day after election". WVEC. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Newport News' youngest elected mayor sworn in". WVEC. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "2022 Newport News City Mayor (At Large) - Regular General Results". Vpap.org. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "NN mayor proclaims June as Pride Month; City to host first Pride festival". WTKR. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Engagement post". Instagram. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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