Peter Lawson Jones
Encyclopedia
Peter Lawson Jones is an African American
politician of the Democratic party. A resident of Shaker Heights
, Ohio
, he currently serves as a county commissioner in Cuyahoga County
.
Jones served on the Shaker Heights city council, and in 1994, he was the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Rob Burch. He served as a state representative from 1997 to 2002. In February 2002, after county commissioner Jane Campbell
was elected mayor of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party appointed Jones to replace her on the commission.
He received his BA magna cum laude from Harvard University
in 1975, and his juris doctor
from Harvard in 1980. He has extensive professional and community affiliations, and works at the law firm Roetzel & Andress in addition to his legislative duties.
In 2007, Jones made news with two dissenting votes on major decisions. He opposed the sales tax increase for Cuyahoga County from 7.5% to 7.75%. The tax, earmarked to pay for a new convention center and medical mart, was passed by a 2-1 vote (Jimmy Dimora and Tim Hagan
voted for it), and it took effect on October 1, 2007. Jones also opposed the demolition of the Ameritrust Tower
, which the county bought as a potential location for a new administration building, but later decided to sell.
On January 26, 2009, WKYC's Tom Beres reported that Jones was considering running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. George Voinovich
. But withdrew from the idea and went onto endorse Lee Fisher
in the primaries, and now in the general election.
See also:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician of the Democratic party. A resident of Shaker Heights
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Shaker Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population was 28,448. It is an inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland that abuts the city on its eastern side.-Topography:Shaker Heights is located at...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, he currently serves as a county commissioner in Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. It is the most populous county in Ohio; as of the 2010 census, the population was 1,280,122. Its county seat is Cleveland. Cuyahoga County is part of Greater Cleveland, a metropolitan area, and Northeast Ohio, a...
.
Jones served on the Shaker Heights city council, and in 1994, he was the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Rob Burch. He served as a state representative from 1997 to 2002. In February 2002, after county commissioner Jane Campbell
Jane L. Campbell
Jane Louise Campbell, is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 56th and first female mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from January 1, 2002 to January 1, 2006.-Personal details:...
was elected mayor of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party appointed Jones to replace her on the commission.
He received his BA magna cum laude from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1975, and his juris doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Harvard in 1980. He has extensive professional and community affiliations, and works at the law firm Roetzel & Andress in addition to his legislative duties.
In 2007, Jones made news with two dissenting votes on major decisions. He opposed the sales tax increase for Cuyahoga County from 7.5% to 7.75%. The tax, earmarked to pay for a new convention center and medical mart, was passed by a 2-1 vote (Jimmy Dimora and Tim Hagan
Tim Hagan
Timothy Hagan , a Democrat, is an American politician in Ohio.-Early life:Hagan was born and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, as one of fourteen siblings . Hagan's father, Bob, was a Trumbull County Commissioner and, later, a State Representative. After graduating from Ursuline High School...
voted for it), and it took effect on October 1, 2007. Jones also opposed the demolition of the Ameritrust Tower
AT Tower
The Ameritrust Tower is a brutalist skyscraper located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The building is 29 stories and rises to a height of 383 ft . It was designed by Marcel Breuer and Hamilton Smith and completed in 1971...
, which the county bought as a potential location for a new administration building, but later decided to sell.
On January 26, 2009, WKYC's Tom Beres reported that Jones was considering running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. George Voinovich
George Voinovich
George Victor Voinovich is a former United States Senator from the state of Ohio, and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served as the 65th Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998, and as the 54th mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.-Personal life:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his father was...
. But withdrew from the idea and went onto endorse Lee Fisher
Lee Fisher
Lee Fisher was the 64th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, who served with Governor Ted Strickland from 2007 until 2011.He is a member of the Democratic Party.In addition to serving as Lt...
in the primaries, and now in the general election.
See also:
- Cuyahoga County official biography
- Election Results, Ohio Lieutenant GovernorElection Results, Ohio Lieutenant GovernorThe voters of the U.S. state of Ohio elect a lieutenant governor for a four-year term. Starting in 1978, the lieutenant governor is elected in tandem with the governor -- votes earned on a governor-lieutenant governor ticket are indicated in parenthses....
- Election Results, Ohio Lieutenant Governor (Democratic Primaries)
- Roetzel & Andress profile