​By now you may have seen the results from Tuesday's election.

Unfortunately, I was on the short side of the ledger.

I know we ran a great campaign and fought for every vote we could get in a solidly Democrat district. We hit approximately 28,000 doors, sent 25,000 mail pieces, had more than 200,000 impressions on Google, with at least 12,000 video views on YouTube, plus thousands more impressions and engagements on Facebook, and we put up around 150 yard signs and three billboards in the area.

I'm proud to say that we were much more competitive than any Republican in this area in a long time. For context, the last time a Republican ran in this district was 2016 and the margin was 28 percent. This time, had we flipped merely an additional 505 voters, we could have claimed victory. Suffice to say, we made an impact.

I met so many wonderful people in this district and was amazed at the outpouring of support. It was surreal to be recognized in the Post Office, or to knock on a voter's door and be told "I already voted for you."

I have to give a shout-out to some of the people who were with me through this journey: George, with whom I had breakfast in 2019 to discuss this idea and to whom I turned regularly for input; young Joe, who didn't really want to be in politics but put in hours and hours of work; older Joe, who was invaluable in so many facets behind the scenes; Bill, who was a refreshing voice of encouragement and counsel. And of course my treasurer, Dana, who did a fantastic job keeping our books in order.

And then there are my sisters, Veronica and Cecilia, who put their lives on hold and knocked on thousands of doors in the heat, the cold, and the rain. Also my Mom, who spent many Saturdays helping out the campaign.

I'm very thankful for Jamey and Mary Catherine who were in the trenches with me the entire time as we all worked our separate (but overlapping) campaigns.

However, the single person throughout this campaign who probably put in the most work was my wife, Sarah, who allowed me to spend countless hours on this project. With four kids in the house, she took on a lot so I could do this.

There are others who helped in so many various ways through financial contributions, making phone calls, displaying yard signs, offering words of encouragement, prayers, and more. You know who you are. Thank you.

I don't know what the future holds. With redistricting on the horizon in 2022, the map could be very different. We also have some personal decisions to make as a family. Ultimately, it's God's will that we must discern and follow, not my own. Stay tuned!

If you still have a yard sign, I can come pick it up. Just leave it in your yard or on your porch and I'll come by within a few days.

If you want to stay connected, feel free to contact me through my personal email: gabe.h.jones@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Gabriel
​
P.S., I do have a small amount of campaign debt, so if you feel inclined to contribute, it is still possible to do so. And maybe help me get a head start on the next campaign... 

Affton-area resident to make bid in 2020 for seat held by term-limited Rep. Bob Burns

AFFTON, Mo. - Gabriel Jones, Affton-area resident, communications professional, and basketball official, has announced a bid for state representative in the 93rd district, the seat currently held by the term-limited Representative Bob Burns.

“We need honest, fair, prudent, and visionary public servants who want to promote the common good more than themselves or their political party,” Gabriel said. “I’m running because I know we can make progress towards a better future. Our state motto compels us to consider the welfare of the people as the highest law. Most of us just want to provide for our families, support our communities, and live a good life. Our government should enable us to do that.”

The 31-year-old life-long Missourian is native of mid-Missouri. Gabriel was homeschooled and attended Fulton High School in Fulton, Mo. He earned a B.A. in Political Science & Economics and a Master’s in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., where he was a member of the men’s basketball team as well as Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity.

Gabriel attended the Missouri Republican Party State Convention in 2008 and 2012 as a delegate from Callaway County. He worked on political campaigns during the 2012 election cycle and was later hired by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. He served as a media relations specialist for the archdiocese through 2018. While there, the Archbishop appointed Gabriel to serve a three-year term on the Public Policy Committee of the Missouri Catholic Conference, beginning in 2016. Gabriel is currently at a local marketing and advertising agency where he has worked with the Missouri Division of Tourism as well as a variety of corporate clients from around the country.

A recent graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis Emerging Leaders program, Gabriel has been involved in the community as a volunteer with the Affton Christian Food Pantry and was a member of the junior board for Angels’ Arms, a local foster care organization. He is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Gabriel spent a season coaching basketball at Bishop DuBourg High School before becoming a basketball official at the youth, high school, and college levels.

On the campaign trail, Jones will focus on fiscal responsibility, education reform, support for law enforcement, and the need for local control on issues like a possible city-county merger.

Gabriel is married to Sarah, a native of south St. Louis County, a Rosati-Kain High School alumna, Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, and former youth minister. They have four children.