Jones’ decision not to run opens coveted seat on Clark County Commission

By Dana Gentry

Nevada News and Views

Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones announced Monday he will not seek a third term in office. Jones, who represents District F on the commission, said in a statement he’ll “instead work hard to elect another Democrat in District F to continue the progress that I and my colleagues have made for Southern Nevada.”

Political insiders are suggesting state Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, a Democrat, is a likely candidate for the commission seat.

“He would be great,” Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom said of Yeager.

Yeager announced last month he will not seek re-election to the Legislature. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Jones previously served in the state Senate from 2012 to 2014.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Nevada in elected positions at the state and local level and I am proud of the work I have done to advocate for better infrastructure, increase housing affordability, expand access to parks and natural spaces, diversify our economy, and expand behavioral health services,” Jones said.

Last year, Jones was sanctioned by a judge for deleting text messages sought in a lawsuit filed against Clark County by Gypsum Resources, a company owned by developer Jim Rhodes, who is building a master planned community on Blue Diamond Hill, an area adjacent to the Red Rock Conservation Area.

An effort by the State Bar Association this year to strip Jones of his law license failed when a disciplinary panel issued a public reprimand.

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Dana Gentry is a native Las Vegan and award-winning investigative journalist. She is a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School and holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.