Lamont Jones
Following a lawsuit aimed at knocking Lamont Jones, a candidate for Harrisburg City Council, off the ballot, several political organizations have voiced support for Jones.
Dauphin County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Rogette Harris issued a statement earlier this week reinforcing the committee’s support for Jones, despite an attempt to remove him from the November election.
A lawsuit was filed in July by plaintiffs Katherine Knapp and Sherron Roy who argued that Jones’ past criminal convictions disqualify him from holding public office in the commonwealth.
Jones, a Harrisburg resident, won one of three nominations for seats on council during the May primary election.
“I was heartbroken,” Jones said of the lawsuit, during a phone call with TheBurg. “Because I’ve done so much to change my life around. I’ve done so much work in the community.”
Jones has spoken publicly about his past convictions, which date back to 1997, 2004 and 2005, and has advocated for improved assistance for those re-entering society after prison through his organization, Jones Resources.
“These past criminal convictions that date back over 20 years should not define who I am today,” Jones said.
According to Harris, Jones was upfront about his history with the Democratic committee, which endorsed him prior to the primary election.
“Based on this information and answering the varied questions about what he has done to repay his community by giving back as a public servant and mentor, the Harrisburg City committee members determined that Mr. Jones has paid his dues and endorsed him accordingly,” she said.
The lawsuit stated that Jones committed “infamous crimes,” offenses that disqualify someone from assuming office, and should withdraw himself from the race. Jones’ most recent convictions include possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony. The lawsuit also lists the Dauphin County Board of Elections as a defendant.
According to Marco Attisano, an attorney with Pittsburgh-based Flannery Georgalis, who is representing the plaintiffs in the case, if Jones were elected to council and disqualified based on his past convictions, city council would be tasked with appointing a replacement to fill the seat. This would take away the voters’ power to choose their representative, he claimed.
The plaintiffs have requested that the court allow the state Democratic Party to select a substitute for the nomination.
Jones and the elections board have since responded requesting that the complaint be dismissed. Jones’ attorney, John Bravacos, argues that there is no basis in state election code law that allows the court to force a candidate to withdraw his name from the ballot. The elections board, in its response filings, similarly claims that the election code does not permit a county board of elections to “remove a candidate from a ballot based on ‘viability.’”
In Jones’ filings, he has also stated that the challenge to his nomination petition was outside of the statutory filing period, which includes the seven days after the petition filing deadline.
Jones said that he believed long-time local political figures were really behind the lawsuit, hiding behind the named plaintiffs.
“This is another example of political violence when people are trying to interfere with the outcomes of these elections,” he said.
Jones has also applied for a pardon from the commonwealth, according to his court filings, and received support from the Dauphin County district attorney and a former secretary of corrections. Jones’ hearing before the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is slated to take place in November.
“The facts combine to support the conclusion that Mr. Jones reasonably anticipates receiving a pardon prior to the January 2, 2024, date when he would take the oath of office as a successful candidate for member of city council,” Jones’ court filings said.
In addition to the Democratic committee, the Pennsylvania Working Families Party also released a statement in late July in support of Jones.
“This lawsuit isn’t just an attack on Lamont,” the statement said. “It’s an attempt to overturn the will of Harrisburg voters. It’s also a slap in the face to so many people in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania who have been through the criminal justice system and shown time and again that redemption is possible.”
Harris, in her statement, said that she will seek a legislative change to create a standardized and consistent policy for those with a criminal background seeking public office.
“Some have had to obtain a pardon from the Governor to serve in the office they were elected, and others have not,” she said. “I recognize this inconsistency and will advocate for a policy that applies to all.”
A court hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Dauphin County Courthouse.
“I am encouraged by the support from the community,” Jones said. “My community has already forgiven me and I have already been pardoned by them. I hope their votes count and are respected, but I won’t stop doing work in the community no matter what happens.”
The Lamont Jones for Council team, along with community stakeholders will hold a press conference in support of Jones on Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Nativity School of Harrisburg, 2101 N. 5th St.
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