Daphne, AL (BuzzReport) — In a political landscape long dominated by conservative incumbents, retired U.S. Army First Sergeant Clyde W. Jones, Jr. has officially announced his candidacy for Congress, emerging as the Democratic nominee for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. His entry into the race signals what some voters see as a growing appetite for change—driven by concerns over healthcare affordability, rising costs of living, and economic security.
Jones, a Daphne resident, brings with him more than two decades of military service and a career rooted in public service and community leadership. A native of Charles City, Virginia, he served 21 years in the U.S. Army as a Signal Communications Soldier, including deployments during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. His service was recognized with numerous honors, including the Bronze Star.
After retiring from the military, Jones relocated to South Alabama in 2013 for work with DuPont and later settled in Baldwin County with his family. He went on to build a civilian career that bridged industry, nonprofit leadership, and ministry. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Administration and Management from Excelsior University in Albany, New York. He most recently retired in May 2024 from FMC Agricultural Solutions, where he served as a Process Safety Management Coordinator.
Beyond his professional background, Jones is deeply embedded in the civic and faith-based fabric of the region. He is an Associate Minister at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Daphne, a former president of the board for Alabama Arise, a statewide nonprofit focused on public policy and social justice, and currently serves on the Steering Committee for Leadership Baldwin. He is also a member of the Executive Committee for the Commission on Social Justice and Racial Reconciliation of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
Jones is married to Nichelle Barnes of Wichita Falls, Texas. Together, they have three children—Shunika, Micah, and Timothy—and are the proud grandparents of six.
While Alabama’s 1st Congressional District is considered solidly conservative, some longtime residents say current political and economic pressures are forcing them to reconsider long-held voting habits.
“I have lived in Robertsdale for over 50 years, and I have always voted for conservatives,” said Robert T., a local resident. “But now that my Medicare has been affected, myself and my wife are concerned. We are considering voting for an independent or Democrat for the first time in over 60 years.”
In an interview with BuzzReport, Jones said his decision to run was driven by frustration with what he described as a lack of independent thinking in Washington and a failure to address the real needs of South Alabama.
“This seat has essentially become a rubber stamp—either for the executive branch or the political party they serve,” Jones said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had an independent thinker in this office, and that has led to stagnant ideas and bad policy. The people of this district deserve better.”
Jones was particularly critical of what he sees as a broken healthcare system and an economy that no longer works for average families. He pointed to the removal of Affordable Care Act tax credits as a decision that has hit Alabamians—especially small business owners and gig economy workers—especially hard.
“Healthcare has become a political football in Washington,” he said. “That’s absurd, given how central it is to the financial security of families across Alabama. People are being punished financially because Congress refused to act, even after hearing from constituents on both sides of the aisle.”
If elected, Jones says his top priority would be changing the tone and culture of Washington itself.
“The politics of division must become a thing of the past,” he said. “I won’t dodge tough questions or hide from my constituents. My job is to listen, to lead with accountability, and to vote based on what actually helps the people of this district—not on party pressure from someone who doesn’t live here or understand our needs.”
Jones frames his campaign as an extension of a lifetime of service—from the battlefield, to the boardroom, to the pulpit.
“I am a public servant at heart and always have been,” he said. “Our democracy depends on people stepping forward when they are ready to lead. For me, that time is now.”
Alabama’s primary elections will be held in May, with the general election scheduled for November. As economic anxiety and healthcare concerns continue to dominate kitchen-table conversations across South Alabama, Jones’ campaign may test whether even the most reliably conservative districts are open to a new political direction.