{"biography":"Jerry Lee Jones Jr. is a Democratic candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education in the 2026 general election (Nov.\u202f3,\u202f2026)\u202f[1]. The Board of Education governs the county\u2019s public schools, setting policy, approving budgets, overseeing curriculum, and ensuring compliance with state education standards. As a board member, Jones would help shape decisions that affect teachers, students, and families across New Hanover County.\n\nJones grew up in poverty in New Hanover County and attributes his upward mobility to public education, which enabled him to become a scientist, educator, and small\u2011business owner\u202f[9]. He has worked as a teacher and, as a parent, has raised children in public schools, charter schools, and through homeschooling, giving him firsthand experience with the county\u2019s diverse educational pathways\u202f[9]. Jones\u2019s campaign emphasizes transparency, academic curiosity, and professionalism, and he pledges to strengthen public schools, expand opportunities, and improve communication among teachers, parents, and administrators\u202f[9].\n\nAlthough Jones has not listed formal degrees, his professional background includes work in scientific fields and running a small business, experiences he says inform his approach to problem\u2011solving and fiscal responsibility on the board\u202f[9]. He is also a member of the community\u2019s education advocacy network, receiving endorsements from the New Hanover County Association of Educators and the 314 Action Fund\u202f[8].\n\nJones previously ran for the same at\u2011large seat in the 2024 election, appearing on the November\u202f5,\u202f2024 ballot as one of three Democratic candidates for the three available seats\u202f[1]. He participated in the March\u202f5,\u202f2024 Democratic primary and was listed among the candidates on the general\u2011election ballot\u202f[1]. While Ballotpedia does not provide a detailed biography, the campaign website notes his commitment to parental involvement, equitable funding, and rebuilding trust among stakeholders\u202f[9].\n\nJones\u2019s public outreach includes a campaign website (electjerryjonesjr.com) that outlines his platform and provides a headshot, as well as a Facebook post from the New Hanover County Board of Elections announcing his candidacy in December\u202f2025\u202f[11]. He can be contacted via the email address listed on his Ballotpedia page, jerryjones4nhcschools@gmail.com\u202f[1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jerry Jones Jr. (New Hanover County Board of Education, North Carolina, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jerry_Jones_Jr._(New_Hanover_County_Board_of_Education,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))\n- [6] [Jerry Jones (Mayor of Morehead City, North Carolina, candidate 2025) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jerry_Jones_(Mayor_of_Morehead_City,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2025))\n- [8] [iVoterGuide - Jerry Jones, Jr. iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/78463/race/20813/election/1206)\n- [9] [Jerry Jones For New Hanover County Schools \u2013 A new voice fighting for transparency, academic curiosity, and professionalism](https://electjerryjonesjr.com/)\n- [11] [Jerry Jones Jr. (D) Candidate for New Hanover County Board of ...](https://www.facebook.com/nhcvote/posts/jerry-jones-jr-dcandidate-for-new-hanover-county-board-of-education/1226806559631585/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"},{"contest":"county_school_board","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Jerry","fullname":"Jerry Lee Jones JR","lastname":"Jones","middlename":"Lee","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"new_hanover","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board","contest_title":"New Hanover County Board Of Education","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"suffix":"JR","summary":"Jerry Lee Jones Jr. is a Democratic candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education, emphasizing transparency, parental involvement, and improved school funding.","terms":[],"token":"30f76ec18fc30b09"}