Jolanda Jones: Fighting for Texas with Resilience

Meet Jolanda Jones, a candidate for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 18th District who isn’t afraid to be herself. She readily admits she’s not a traditional politician, but her authenticity is precisely what resonates with voters. While campaigning outside a Houston polling precinct during early voting, Jones was actively engaging with constituents, embodying a hands-on approach to earning their vote.

A Fighter’s Journey to Congress

Jones entered the race for the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, following the passing of longtime Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Her background as an outspoken advocate and attorney, who runs her own defense law firm, has prepared her for the battles ahead. She gained national attention for her defiance against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s attempts to arrest Democrats who fled the state to protest a redrawn congressional map, which critics argue is racially discriminatory.

Jones, a lawyer, fiercely defended her actions, calling Abbott’s claims baseless and a political tactic. “There is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says. So respectfully, he’s making up some s–t,” she stated, highlighting the lack of legal grounds for the governor’s threats. This unwavering conviction is why she believes she’s the right fit to represent a district with a rich legacy of strong leaders like Barbara Jordan and Sheila Jackson Lee.

Embracing the ‘Gutter’ When Necessary

Jones recently went viral for her response to CNN’s Erin Burnett regarding the Democratic strategy of “fighting by the rules.” While Michelle Obama advocates for “going high,” Jones declared, “If you hit me in my face… I’m going to go across your neck.” She clarified this was a figurative expression, explaining that her lived experience differs from those with more power and resources.

“I live in a world where if they go low, you better go in the gutter,” Jones told theGrio. “When we fight, I need to fight so hard that you don’t want to fight me no more, even if you beat me.” This combative yet strategic approach, honed by her background as a three-time heptathlon national champion, fuels her determination. She thrives on motivation, stating, “The hate motivates me.”

Channeling Trauma into Advocacy

Jones feels “uniquely qualified” to challenge President Trump and the MAGA movement, drawing from a life filled with adversity. She openly identifies as queer and, if elected, would be the first Black LGBTQ+ woman in Congress. Her traumatic childhood, including witnessing her father’s suicide, experiencing sexual abuse, and growing up in poverty where her family struggled to pay for basic utilities, has shaped her resilience.

She recalls losing everything in a devastating house fire and the profound grief of losing her father’s belongings, including his art. “I had to fight to overcome,” Jones shared, emphasizing that while trauma is never fully erased, it can be managed. This deep understanding of struggle fuels her commitment to fighting for her constituents, particularly against what she describes as Trump and the Republicans’ “racist, anti-Black, anti-gay [agenda].”

Fighting for the People

Jones asserts that Trump and the Republicans have normalized “nastiness” and are “mean-spirited.” She believes they are actively harming the people she represents, drawing parallels between her personal fight for survival and America’s current “victimization” under the MAGA administration. “I know I’m a fight that man, figuratively speaking,” she declared, ready to champion regular people and push back against policies that harm marginalized communities.