John Chiang Supports Dave Jones
In a significant boost to Dave Jones’ campaign for the 6th State Senate District, former California State Treasurer and Controller John Chiang has formally endorsed Jones, citing his tireless work protecting consumers and his lifelong commitment to public service. Chiang’s endorsement adds to a growing list of prominent California leaders backing Jones, reflecting broad confidence in his ability to represent working families in the State Senate.
A Longstanding Friendship Rooted in Public Service
John Chiang and Dave Jones share a history that stretches back to their high school days in Orland Park, Illinois. At Carl Sandburg High School in the early 1980s, Jones served as student body President while Chiang served as student body Vice President. That early partnership in student government foreshadowed decades of parallel careers in California politics, where both men have built reputations as dedicated public servants focused on fiscal responsibility, consumer protection, and expanding opportunity for all Californians.
Chiang’s endorsement is not merely a political courtesy; it is grounded in a deep personal knowledge of Jones’ character and work ethic. Having observed Jones from their formative years through his various statewide roles, Chiang is uniquely positioned to speak to Jones’ integrity, tenacity, and effectiveness. This personal history lends weight to his endorsement, signaling to voters that Jones is a proven leader with a consistent record of fighting for the public good.
Chiang’s Statement: A Champion for the Voiceless
In announcing his endorsement, Chiang released a statement highlighting Jones’ often-overlooked accomplishments and his unwavering dedication to the people he serves. Chiang emphasized that Jones’ work as Insurance Commissioner, legislator, and legal aid attorney has had life-changing impacts on countless Californians, even when the press did not always take notice.
“Dave Jones worked tirelessly to protect consumers as California’s Insurance Commissioner. So many of Dave Jones’ accomplishments as a legislator, a legal aid attorney, and Insurance Commissioner go unnoticed by the press, but are life-changing and essential for the people they affect. Dave is truly a champion for people who need a voice and a fighter for Californians who need his help. I know that Dave will be a Senator for working people, and I look forward to what he accomplishes in the years ahead.”
Chiang’s words underscore a central theme of Jones’ career: using the levers of government to protect the most vulnerable. From his early days providing free legal assistance to the poor, to his tenure as Insurance Commissioner where he saved consumers billions of dollars, Jones has consistently prioritized the needs of ordinary people over powerful interests. Chiang’s endorsement reinforces this narrative, presenting Jones as a leader who delivers tangible results for those who often lack a voice in Sacramento.
John Chiang: A Trusted Voice on Fiscal Stewardship
John Chiang’s endorsement carries particular weight given his own distinguished record in California government. Chiang served as California State Treasurer from 2014 to 2018, where he managed the state’s investment portfolio and oversaw the issuance of bonds to fund critical infrastructure projects. Before that, he served as State Controller from 2007 to 2015, acting as the state’s chief fiscal officer and earning a reputation for prudent financial management during the Great Recession.
Chiang began his statewide service on the California Board of Equalization, where he served from 1997 to 2007, overseeing tax administration and fighting for fair tax policies. His long career in fiscal oversight gives him a unique perspective on the qualities needed in a state senator, particularly in a district like the 6th, which encompasses diverse communities with significant economic challenges. Chiang’s endorsement signals that he trusts Jones to make sound decisions on budget and policy matters that affect millions of Californians.
Dave Jones: A Career of Fighting for Consumers and Working Families
Dave Jones’ career path has been defined by a consistent commitment to public interest law and consumer advocacy. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Jones began his professional life as a legal aid attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, where he provided free legal assistance to low-income residents facing eviction, denial of benefits, and other civil legal crises. This early experience shaped his understanding of the barriers facing working families and instilled in him a passion for using the law to advance justice.
In 1995, Jones was selected as one of only 13 Americans to receive the prestigious White House Fellowship, a nonpartisan program that places exceptional young leaders in high-level government positions. As a White House Fellow, Jones served for three years as Special Assistant and Counsel to United States Attorney General Janet Reno, where he worked on a range of federal law enforcement and civil rights issues. This experience at the highest levels of government prepared him for the complex policy challenges he would later face in California.
Local Roots: Sacramento City Council and State Assembly
Jones’ electoral career began at the local level, where he served on the Sacramento City Council from 1999 to 2004. During his tenure, he authored groundbreaking legislation requiring developers to include more affordable housing in new projects, ensuring that Sacramento’s growth benefited all residents. He also championed a living wage ordinance for city contractors and led the effort to recognize domestic partnerships, reflecting his commitment to economic and social justice.
In 2004, Jones was elected to the California State Assembly, representing Sacramento. Over six years in the Assembly, he chaired three influential committees: the Assembly Health Committee, the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. In these roles, he authored 70 bills that were signed into law, addressing issues such as healthcare access, consumer protection, affordable housing, early childhood education, environmental protection, and workers’ rights. His legislative record demonstrates a rare ability to navigate complex policy areas and build coalitions to achieve meaningful reform.
Insurance Commissioner: Protecting 38 Million Californians
From 2011 to 2018, Jones served as California’s seventh Insurance Commissioner, a role in which he regulated the insurance industry on behalf of 38 million Californians. During his tenure, he saved consumers and businesses over $3.11 billion in premiums by aggressively reviewing and rejecting excessive rate increases for auto, homeowners, and other property and casualty insurance. He also implemented key provisions of the Affordable Care Act in California, including market reforms that protected consumers from discriminatory practices and ensured access to essential health benefits.
Jones’ work as Insurance Commissioner extended beyond rate regulation. He took on powerful insurance companies to enforce consumer protections, investigated fraud, and advocated for policies to address climate-related insurance risks. His leadership in this role earned him national recognition as a champion for policyholders and a watchdog against industry abuses. This record of standing up to powerful interests is precisely what Chiang highlighted in his endorsement, and it is a record that Jones promises to bring to the State Senate.
What This Endorsement Means for the 6th District Race
The 6th State Senate District is an open seat in 2022, and the race has drawn significant attention from across the state. Chiang’s endorsement adds to a growing list of high-profile supporters for Jones, including Congressmembers Ted Lieu and Katie Porter, Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty and Lorena Gonzalez, and former State Senator Fran Pavley. These endorsements reflect a broad coalition of progressive leaders who see Jones as the candidate best equipped to advance policies on healthcare, housing, environmental protection, and consumer rights.
Chiang’s endorsement is particularly significant because of his reputation as a fiscal moderate with strong ties to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, a key constituency in the district. His support may help Jones consolidate support among voters who prioritize fiscal responsibility alongside social justice. Moreover, Chiang’s long personal history with Jones lends an authenticity to the endorsement that resonates with voters tired of transactional politics.
Looking Ahead: A Senator for Working People
As the campaign progresses, Jones is emphasizing his record of delivering concrete results for Californians. From saving billions in insurance premiums to authoring laws that expanded healthcare and affordable housing, Jones has a proven track record of turning progressive values into practical policy. Chiang’s endorsement reinforces this message, presenting Jones as a leader who combines fiscal prudence with a deep commitment to social and economic justice.
For voters in the 6th District, the choice in 2022 will shape the future of the region on issues ranging from housing affordability to climate resilience. With the backing of John Chiang and a growing coalition of leaders, Dave Jones is positioning himself as the candidate with the experience, integrity, and vision to be a Senator for working people. As Chiang stated, the accomplishments that matter most are often the ones that go unnoticed—but they are the ones that change lives.