Los Rios College Federation of Teachers Backs Dave Jones

Sacramento, CA – In a significant boost to his campaign for State Senate, Dave Jones has received the endorsement of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers (LRCFT), the union representing approximately 2,500 faculty members across California’s second-largest community college district. The announcement underscores Jones’ longstanding commitment to public education and his vision for strengthening the state’s educational pipeline from early childhood through higher education.

A Union with Deep Roots in Sacramento Education

The Los Rios College Federation of Teachers was founded in 1978, inspired by the broader American labor movement’s achievements. Since its inception, LRCFT has been a forceful advocate for faculty labor rights in the Sacramento region and for the educational rights of all Californians. The union represents instructors, counselors, librarians, college nurses, and program coordinators across four campuses: American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College. Together, these institutions form the Los Rios Community College District, a vital engine of workforce development and academic opportunity in the capital region.

Endorsements from education unions carry particular weight in California politics, where public education funding, labor standards, and access to affordable higher education are perennial legislative battlegrounds. LRCFT’s decision to back Jones reflects confidence in his ability to navigate these complex issues while centering the needs of students and educators alike.

Why LRCFT Chose Dave Jones

In announcing the endorsement, LRCFT President Jason Newman articulated a clear rationale rooted in Jones’ legislative record and his demonstrated commitment to education at every level. Newman highlighted Jones’ role in helping create one of the nation’s largest early education and preschool programs during his time in the State Assembly—a foundational investment that sets children on a path toward lifelong learning.

“Dave Jones is the best candidate to represent us in the State Senate because he has a track record of fighting for education, for students, and for educators. As a legislator, Dave helped create one of the largest early education and preschool programs in the nation, a critical step for helping launch students on a path of lifetime learning.”

Newman went on to emphasize Jones’ commitment to ensuring that every young person can attend high-quality public schools and community colleges. He framed education as the essential tool for building and sustaining a strong economy, and he stressed that investing in education is absolutely necessary to reduce economic and social inequity. The union’s leadership believes Jones will stand alongside its members in the fight to strengthen community colleges and higher education.

A Record of Results for Public Education

Dave Jones’ background in public service is defined by a consistent focus on expanding opportunity and protecting the vulnerable. He began his career as a legal aid attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, providing free legal assistance to low-income residents. In 1995, he was selected as a White House Fellow—one of only 13 Americans that year—and subsequently served for three years as Special Assistant and Counsel to United States Attorney General Janet Reno.

As a Sacramento City Councilmember from 1999 to 2004, Jones authored groundbreaking laws requiring developers to build more affordable housing, mandating a living wage for workers, and recognizing domestic partnerships. His tenure in the State Assembly from 2004 to 2010 saw him chair the Assembly Health Committee, the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. It was during this period that he championed the early education expansion cited by LRCFT—a program that has since become a model for other states seeking to close achievement gaps before they open.

The Broader Endorsement Landscape

The LRCFT endorsement adds to a growing list of organizations, elected officials, and community leaders supporting Dave Jones’ Senate bid. His campaign has already earned backing from prominent figures such as Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, Congressmember Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Katie Porter, environmental leader Fran Pavley, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma. This coalition reflects Jones’ ability to build bridges across policy areas—from education and labor to environmental protection and fiscal responsibility.

For LRCFT, the endorsement is not merely symbolic. Community college faculty are on the front lines of California’s efforts to expand access to affordable higher education, address workforce shortages in healthcare and technology, and support students from historically underserved communities. Jones’ platform aligns with these priorities, including his calls for increased per-student funding, expanded student support services, and stronger pipelines from K-12 schools to community colleges and four-year universities.

What This Means for the State Senate Race

Endorsements from labor unions often translate into tangible campaign resources: volunteer phone banks, door-to-door canvassing, mailers to members, and independent expenditure support. LRCFT’s membership of 2,500 educators is concentrated in the Sacramento region, exactly the constituency Jones seeks to represent in the State Senate. Their active engagement could prove decisive in a competitive primary and general election.

Moreover, the endorsement signals to other education stakeholders—including the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges—that Jones is a reliable ally. In a state where education funding consumes the largest share of the general fund, having the unified backing of educators can shape both the narrative and the outcome of a campaign.

Looking Ahead: Jones’ Vision for Community Colleges

Jones has been explicit about his belief that community colleges are the backbone of California’s higher education system. They serve more than two million students annually, provide affordable pathways to four-year degrees, and offer career technical education that meets the needs of local employers. Yet they remain chronically underfunded relative to the University of California and California State University systems.

In his campaign, Jones has called for a multi-year funding compact that would guarantee predictable, inflation-adjusted increases for community colleges, allowing districts like Los Rios to hire more full-time faculty, expand counseling and mental health services, and modernize aging facilities. He has also emphasized the importance of dual enrollment programs that let high school students earn college credit, and he supports expanding financial aid to cover the full cost of attendance—not just tuition—for low-income students.

LRCFT’s endorsement reflects a shared understanding that these investments are not optional luxuries but essential components of a just and prosperous California. As the campaign progresses, Jones will likely continue to highlight his education record, knowing that voters consistently rank education as a top concern and that the support of educators carries moral authority.

Conclusion

The Los Rios College Federation of Teachers’ endorsement of Dave Jones is a powerful validation of his lifelong commitment to public education and his readiness to fight for students, faculty, and working families in the State Senate. With a proven record of legislative achievement and a coalition of supporters spanning the ideological spectrum of the Democratic Party, Jones enters the race as a formidable candidate. For the educators of Los Rios, the choice is clear: Dave Jones is the advocate they trust to strengthen community colleges and build a more equitable future for all Californians.