Representative Jolanda "Jo" Jones

Jolanda "Jo" Jones is a Democratic Texas State Representative for House District 147 in Harris County, elected in a special election on May 18, 2022, to succeed retiring Rep. Garnet Coleman. She is the first openly lesbian Black woman elected to the Texas Legislature and advocates for healthcare access, public education, voting rights, public safety, and human rights.

Born November 6, 1965, Jones rose from a childhood marked by poverty, family tragedies—including her father's suicide, her brother's murder, and multiple evictions—and personal hardships like rape and death threats. A 4-time national track and field champion, basketball All-American, and heptathlete, she competed on Survivor: Palau and appeared on Sisters in Law . As a criminal defense attorney with a 24-year-old firm, she earned accolades for exposing the Houston Police Department's faulty crime lab, winning murder cases, and reuniting a mother with her stolen child. A CNN Hero, Rhodes Scholar nominee, author, businesswoman, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member, she serves on committees including Public Health and County Affairs. Notable actions include co-sponsoring bills for HIV testing access , broadband expansion , school accountability , youth mental health, and synthetic drug regulations. In 2025, she broke quorum against redistricting maps and ran third in the 18th Congressional District special election.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: University of Houston graduate.
• Political Experience: Houston City Council ; Houston Independent School District board trustee; Texas House District 147 ; Senate District 13 Democratic committee. Prior roles include school board service and advocacy driven by personal adversity.