UFCW 8-Golden State Endorses Dave Jones

In a significant show of support from organized labor, UFCW 8-Golden State — the largest United Food and Commercial Workers union in Northern California — has formally endorsed Dave Jones in his campaign for the 6th State Senate district. The endorsement, announced today in Sacramento, underscores Jones’ long record as a champion for working families and his deep ties to the Sacramento region he seeks to represent.

A Union Voice for Essential Workers

UFCW 8-Golden State represents approximately 30,000 workers across a vast swath of California, from Bakersfield in the south to Redding in the north. Its members work in supermarkets, drug stores, warehouses, food processing plants, and medical facilities — the very people who kept California running during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. These frontline workers ensured that shelves were stocked, prescriptions were filled, and essential goods remained available when much of the state was locked down.

The union’s endorsement carries considerable weight in the 6th Senate District, which includes much of Sacramento and surrounding communities. UFCW 8-Golden State has a history of backing candidates who demonstrate a tangible commitment to the issues that matter most to its members: fair wages, affordable health care, safe working conditions, and a secure retirement. In Dave Jones, the union sees a proven ally who has spent his entire career fighting for those very priorities.

Why UFCW 8-Golden State Chose Dave Jones

In announcing the endorsement, UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall praised Jones as “one of California’s most effective advocates for working people.” Loveall highlighted the essential nature of the union’s members, noting that when the pandemic struck, frontline workers in supermarkets, drug stores, medical facilities, warehouses, and food processing plants kept the country moving forward. He emphasized that Jones understands that their work is always essential — not just during a crisis — and that all workers deserve a living wage, health care, and a dignified retirement.

“Dave Jones has always stood up for Californians fighting for equity and opportunity, and that’s why we’re standing with Dave Jones for State Senate.” — Jacques Loveall, President, UFCW 8-Golden State

Loveall also pointed to Jones’ “flawless voting record in support of working families,” a reference to Jones’ time in the State Assembly, where he consistently sided with labor on key legislation. From opposing efforts to weaken collective bargaining to supporting measures that expanded worker protections, Jones built a reputation as a reliable vote for the interests of everyday Californians.

A Career Built on Service and Advocacy

Dave Jones’ path to public service began not in politics but in the legal aid trenches. After earning his law degree, he worked as a legal aid attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, providing free legal assistance to low-income clients. That early experience shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by working families and cemented his commitment to economic justice.

In 1995, Jones was selected as a White House Fellow, one of only 13 Americans to receive that prestigious honor that year. He went on to serve for three years as Special Assistant and Counsel to United States Attorney General Janet Reno, gaining firsthand experience in federal policy and the mechanics of government. Those formative years in Washington, D.C., prepared him for the challenges of elected office and gave him a national perspective on issues affecting California communities.

From City Hall to the State Capitol

Jones returned to Sacramento and was elected to the City Council, serving from 1999 to 2004. During his tenure, he authored groundbreaking local laws that required developers to build more affordable housing, mandated a living wage for workers on city contracts, and recognized domestic partnerships — a bold move at the time. These early legislative victories demonstrated his willingness to take on powerful interests and his ability to turn progressive ideals into concrete policy.

In 2004, Jones was elected to the State Assembly, representing much of Sacramento. Over six years in the lower house, he chaired the Assembly Health Committee, the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services — positions that allowed him to shape policy on some of the state’s most pressing issues. He authored 70 bills that were signed into law, covering consumer protection, health care access, affordable housing, early childhood education, environmental protection, and workers’ rights. His legislative record earned him a reputation as a workhorse who could navigate complex policy debates and deliver results for his constituents.

Statewide Leadership as Insurance Commissioner

In 2010, Jones was elected as California’s seventh Insurance Commissioner, a statewide office he held for eight years. In that role, he worked on behalf of 38 million Californians, regulating a multi-billion-dollar industry and fighting to protect consumers from unfair practices. He used the office’s authority to push for greater transparency in insurance rates, advocate for climate-resilient policies, and hold companies accountable for discriminatory practices.

Jones’ tenure as Insurance Commissioner further solidified his standing as a consumer advocate and a defender of the public interest. He frequently clashed with insurance companies over rate hikes and coverage denials, earning praise from consumer groups and labor organizations alike. That experience in statewide office gave him a broad understanding of California’s diverse regions and the economic pressures facing working families from the Central Valley to the North State.

What This Endorsement Means for the 6th Senate District

The endorsement from UFCW 8-Golden State is a significant boost for Jones’ campaign, signaling strong support from a major labor organization with deep roots in the district. Union endorsements often translate into grassroots organizing power — phone banks, door knocking, and member-to-member outreach — that can make a difference in a competitive primary or general election.

For voters in the 6th Senate District, the endorsement serves as a clear signal of Jones’ alignment with the values of working people. It also reinforces his longstanding relationships with labor leaders and his understanding of the challenges facing essential workers — from grocery clerks and pharmacy technicians to warehouse employees and food processing staff. In a district that includes both urban Sacramento and surrounding suburban and rural areas, that connection to everyday workers could prove decisive.

Jones has also received endorsements from other prominent leaders, including Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, Congressmember Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Katie Porter, environmental leader Fran Pavley, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Together, these endorsements paint a picture of a candidate with broad support from labor, environmental, and progressive leaders across California.

Looking Ahead: A Campaign Built on Results

As Dave Jones campaigns for the State Senate, he brings a record of tangible achievements and a clear vision for the future. His priorities include expanding access to affordable health care, addressing the housing crisis, protecting the environment, and ensuring that California’s economy works for everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected. The endorsement from UFCW 8-Golden State underscores his commitment to those goals and his proven ability to deliver for working families.

For union members and non-union voters alike, Jones’ candidacy represents a continuation of a career dedicated to public service and social justice. From his early days as a legal aid attorney to his years in statewide office, he has consistently stood on the side of those who too often lack a voice in Sacramento. With UFCW 8-Golden State now in his corner, Dave Jones is well-positioned to bring that fight to the State Senate.