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Ella Jones (born 1955) is an American chromatographer, pastor, and politician who serves as the 12th mayor of Ferguson, Missouri. A former member of the Ferguson City Council, Jones is the first African-American and woman elected mayor of the city.[1][2]
Ella Jones | |
|---|---|
| 12th Mayor of Ferguson | |
| Assumed office June 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | James Knowles III |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Missouri–St. Louis (BA) |
Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Prior to entering politics, Jones was a high-pressure liquid chromatographer. She worked at the Washington University School of Medicine and KV Pharmaceutical before becoming a sales director with Mary Kay. In April 2015, Jones was the first African-American elected to the Ferguson City Council, where she represented the city's first ward.[3] In February 2020, Jones was selected to serve on the United States Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisory Committee.[4]
In the 2017 municipal election, Jones ran for mayor, receiving 42.77% of the vote. It was the city's first election after the shooting of Michael Brown and subsequent Ferguson unrest.[5]
In the June 2, 2020, mayoral election, Jones defeated fellow council member Heather Robinett. Jones succeeded incumbent James Knowles III, a Republican who was unable to seek re-election due to term limits.[6][7] On June 17, 2020, Jones was sworn in as the first black and female mayor of Ferguson.[8][9]
She is also a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ella Jones | 1,504 | 53.9% | |
| Democratic | Heather Robinett | 1,286 | 46.1% | |
Jones moved to Ferguson, Missouri with her husband, Tim. Tim Jones died in 2013.[11] Jones has one daughter.[2]
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