He ran the state's insurance department. Now he wants to represent Sacramento in the state Senate

Former California Insurance Commissioner and Assemblyman Dave Jones has entered the race for the state Senate District 6 seat representing the Sacramento region, adding a heavyweight name to an already crowded field of candidates vying to succeed termed-out Democratic Sen. Richard Pan in 2022. Jones, a Democrat with deep roots in Sacramento politics, brings a resume that includes running the state's consumer protection agency, serving in the state Assembly, and sitting on the Sacramento City Council.

A Career Built on Public Service and Consumer Protection

Jones's political journey began at the local level, where he served on the Sacramento City Council before ascending to the state Assembly, representing the Sacramento area from 2004 to 2010. During his time in the Legislature, he earned a reputation as a pragmatic lawmaker focused on issues ranging from environmental protection to healthcare access. His tenure as California's Insurance Commissioner from 2011 to 2019 further cemented his credentials as a consumer advocate, overseeing one of the largest insurance markets in the nation and frequently clashing with industry giants over rate hikes and coverage practices.

"I've had the privilege of serving in the state Legislature before and was successful in enacting legislation to address issues in the Sacramento area," Jones said in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee. "I believe I have the qualifications and experience necessary to use this office to effectively and successfully address the challenges Sacramento faces."

Jones's experience running a statewide agency, he argues, gives him a unique perspective on governance that other candidates may lack. As Insurance Commissioner, he managed a department with hundreds of employees and a budget in the hundreds of millions, navigating complex regulatory landscapes while responding to natural disasters like wildfires that have increasingly strained California's insurance market.

A Crowded Field of Democratic Contenders

Jones is the latest entrant in a race that has already drawn several prominent Democrats, including Sacramento City Council members Eric Guerra and Angelique Ashby and South Sacramento Pastor Tecoy Porter. At least seven candidates have filed statements of intention to run, according to the California Secretary of State's office, setting up what could be a fiercely competitive primary in a district that leans heavily Democratic.

While the field is still taking shape, Jones's name recognition from his statewide office and his long history in the district could give him an early advantage. However, Guerra and Ashby have built their own bases of support on the city council, and Porter brings connections to faith communities and grassroots organizations. The race is expected to hinge on issues like housing affordability, homelessness, and climate resilience, all of which Jones has made central to his campaign.

Jones acknowledged the competitive nature of the race but expressed confidence that his record would resonate with voters. "I think people know me from my work as Insurance Commissioner and as an Assemblymember," he said. "They know I'm someone who gets things done."

Climate Change as a Defining Issue

Since leaving statewide office in 2019, Jones has focused on climate change solutions, serving as senior director for the Nature Conservancy and director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley. That work has given him a front-row seat to the escalating threats facing California, from sea level rise and river flooding to wildfires and drought.

"That means higher sea level rise, river flooding, wildfires, drought, and all the other physical impacts of climate change that are baked into the system that we have to contend with in California," Jones said. "Certainly doing more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to trying to limit the extent to which the climate is going to change, but making sure we are adapting and building resilience into our communities for the inevitable extreme events."

Jones's climate agenda includes accelerating the transition to renewable energy, investing in wildfire prevention and forest management, and ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind in the shift to a greener economy. He also supports strengthening building codes and land-use policies to reduce risk in fire-prone areas, a topic he knows well from his time as Insurance Commissioner, when he saw firsthand how climate change was destabilizing the insurance market.

Housing, Homelessness, and Equity

Beyond climate, Jones has identified housing affordability and homelessness as top priorities for the Sacramento region. He supports a multi-pronged approach that includes increasing the supply of affordable housing, protecting tenants from eviction, and expanding supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. As a former local official, he understands the tension between state mandates and local control, and he says he would work to ensure that state policies are flexible enough to meet Sacramento's specific needs.

Jones also frames his campaign around broader themes of equity, arguing that the state must do more to address social, economic, racial, and gender disparities. He advocates for expanding universal pre-school, investing in workforce development, and pursuing "universal health care through a single payer approach," a long-held progressive goal that has gained traction in California but remains politically challenging.

"I believe I have the qualifications and experience necessary to use this office to effectively and successfully address the challenges Sacramento faces."

His support for single-payer healthcare aligns him with the party's progressive wing, but Jones emphasizes that his approach is grounded in pragmatism. He points to his record as Insurance Commissioner, where he implemented consumer protections under the Affordable Care Act and fought against efforts to undermine coverage for pre-existing conditions, as evidence that he can navigate complex policy debates.

Legislative Experience and Local Roots

Jones's time in the Assembly saw him author legislation on a range of issues, including environmental protection, healthcare, and consumer rights. He served on several committees, including those dealing with health, judiciary, and utilities, giving him a broad understanding of state government. His familiarity with the legislative process, he argues, would allow him to hit the ground running in the Senate.

His local roots also run deep. Jones has lived in Sacramento for decades, and his family has been active in the community. That connection, he says, gives him a personal stake in the district's future. "This is my home," he said. "I've raised my family here, and I want to make sure Sacramento remains a great place to live for everyone."

As the campaign unfolds, Jones will likely lean on his extensive network of supporters from his previous campaigns, including environmental groups, consumer advocates, and labor unions. He has already reported a significant war chest, according to campaign finance filings, which could help him compete in what is expected to be an expensive race.

The Road Ahead

The primary election for Senate District 6 is scheduled for June 2022, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election in November. Given the district's Democratic tilt, the real contest may be in the primary, where Jones will face off against other well-known Democrats. The outcome could hinge on which candidate can best articulate a vision for addressing the region's most pressing challenges, from climate resilience to housing affordability.

Jones is betting that his unique blend of state and local experience, combined with his focus on climate and consumer issues, will set him apart. "I've been in the arena," he said. "I know how to get things done, and I'm ready to do it again for Sacramento."

For voters, the choice will come down to who they trust to navigate the complex intersection of state policy and local needs. With his long record and deep ties to the community, Dave Jones is making a strong case that he is that person.