Stewart Olin Jones (born March 20, 1983) is an American politician. He is a member of the
South Carolina House of Representatives from the 14th District, serving since 2019. He is a member of the Republican party.[1][2]
Jones was one of three legislators that wrote to the Governor on April 15, 2020, saying "we cannot support labeling businesses as 'non-essential' — much less ordering them to close."[8] On April 29, the three lawmakers including Jones urged Speaker Jay Lucas of the House, "to reconvene members of the House of Representatives, under the belief the House might be able to vote to end Gov. McMaster's newest "State of Emergency" in response to the coronavirus."[9]
Jones held a press conference on the steps of the state capital in Columbia, announcing plans to bring the signed petitions straight to the governor’s desk.
“They don't want to ask the government for any assistance, they want their freedom, they want to be able to run their business and run their lives,” said Jones.[10]
In December 2021, passed 3126,[11][12] a bill to ban federal COVID vaccine mandates[13][14][15] and a proviso to prohibit forced masking, COVID vaccines, and COVID tests in South Carolina K-12 schools.[16][17] He also passed provisos to ban forced masking, COVID testing and vaccines in state funded universities and schools.[18]
In 2021, Jones led 36 lawmakers on a petition demanding the state school board association's withdrawal from the National School Board Association.[19]
Jones helped to pass the First Steps Act of South Carolina in August 2023 "ensuring every child in South Carolina has an opportunity to have a great education and a future.”[24]
In March 2024, Jones filed to run for South Carolina Congressional District 3 House of Representatives. The incumbent
Jeff Duncan, announced that he would not seek re-election.[25][26][27] Jones will compete in the Republican Primary with Kevin Bishop, a former staffer of US Senator
Lindsey Graham.[28]