Doug Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Jones
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United States Senator from Alabama |
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Assumed office January 3, 2018 Serving with Richard Shelby
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Preceded by | Luther Strange |
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama | |
In office September 8, 1997 – January 20, 2001 |
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President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Claude Harris Jr. |
Succeeded by | Alice Martin |
Personal details | |
Born |
Gordon Douglas Jones
May 4, 1954 Fairfield, Alabama, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Louise New
(m. 1992) |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Alabama (BS) Samford University (JD) |
Signature | ![]() |
Gordon Douglas Jones, born on May 4, 1954, is an American lawyer and politician. He is best known for serving as a United States Senator for the state of Alabama. He was elected to this important role on December 12, 2017, and officially started his term on January 3, 2018. Before becoming a Senator, Doug Jones worked as a United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.
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Who is Doug Jones?
Doug Jones has had a long career in law and public service. He has worked to uphold justice and represent the people of Alabama. His work as a prosecutor helped bring important cases to court.
Early Life and Education
Doug Jones was born in Fairfield, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Later, he went to Samford University to study law, earning his Doctor of Law (JD) degree. This education prepared him for his future career in the legal field.
A Career in Law
As a lawyer, Doug Jones became known for taking on challenging cases. He served as a United States Attorney, which means he represented the U.S. government in legal matters. This role involves investigating crimes and bringing charges against people who break federal laws.
Fighting for Justice
One of Doug Jones's most significant achievements as a prosecutor was his work on the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing case. This was a terrible event in 1963 where four young African-American girls were killed in a church bombing. For many years, the people responsible were not fully brought to justice. Doug Jones led the effort to prosecute the remaining individuals involved in this historical crime. His work helped bring a sense of closure and justice to the victims' families. He also helped lead an investigation against the person responsible for the Olympic Park bombing.
Becoming a Senator
In 2017, Doug Jones decided to run for a seat in the United States Senate representing Alabama. He was the candidate for the Democratic Party in a special election held on December 12, 2017. He ran against the Republican Party candidate, Roy Moore. Doug Jones won the election with 49.6% of the votes, while his opponent received 48.8%. This victory made him a United States Senator, where he works to represent the interests of Alabama's citizens in the U.S. Congress.