Reggie Jones-Sawyer facts for kids

Reggie Jones-Sawyer is an American politician. He was a member of the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2024. During his time, he represented two different areas: the 59th district and later the 57th district. He was also a leader in the California Legislative Black Caucus. In 2023, he ran for a spot on the Los Angeles City Council.

About Reggie Jones-Sawyer

His Early Life and School

Reggie Jones-Sawyer was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 14, 1957. His uncle, Jefferson Thomas, was one of the "Little Rock Nine." These were brave high school students who helped end segregation in schools. Reggie Jones-Sawyer went to the University of Southern California. He earned a degree in Public Administration there.

Working in Government

Before joining the State Assembly, Reggie Jones-Sawyer worked for the City of Los Angeles. He held important jobs, like managing city properties. He also served as an Assistant Deputy Mayor. He was involved with the California Democratic Party as its Secretary. He also led groups like the Baldwin Hills Conservancy. This group helps protect natural areas. He was also a leader in a labor union.

His Time in the State Assembly

Reggie Jones-Sawyer was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012. He was re-elected five more times. This means people voted for him to keep his job. Sometimes, he won without anyone running against him. In 2014, he admitted to accepting campaign money that was more than allowed by the rules.

In 2021, he tried to change the rules for police officers. He proposed a law that would require them to have a college degree. Or, they would need to be at least 25 years old before joining the police academy.

Important Discussions and Decisions

In 2023, Reggie Jones-Sawyer ran for the Los Angeles City Council. He did not win this election.

Also in 2023, he was involved in a big discussion about a bill called Senate Bill 14. This bill aimed to make certain serious crimes, like harming children, lead to longer prison sentences. Reggie Jones-Sawyer had concerns that this bill might unfairly affect some communities more than others. He also believed that simply locking people up for a long time doesn't always solve problems. Others who supported the bill felt it was important to protect victims and stop people from repeating these serious actions.

Reggie Jones-Sawyer is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus. This group works on laws that support progressive ideas.