Delwin Jones

Who is Delwin Jones?

Delwin L. Jones is a U.S. state political figure from West Texas who prior to 2011 was the oldest member of the Texas House of Representatives, having represented District 83, based in Lubbock, Texas. Jones was originally elected as a Democrat in 1964, when that party held 149 of the 150 seats in the Texas House. Jones was defeated for re-nomination in 1972 by cotton farmer Pete Laney. Twelve years later in 1988, Jones returned to the House as a Republican.

Jones earns his living from farming and investments. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Reta A. Jones reside in Lubbock. His District 83 also includes the outlying communities of Levelland, Denver City, Plains, Shallowater, Slaton, and Seminole, Texas. Jones drove through the district over the years in a 1995 Buick Le Sabre, passing out some 800,000 "Delwin Jones" emery boards to remind voters on pending elections. Jones often begins his day of politicking meeting voters in some cafe.

At eighty-six, Jones was a candidate for renomination in the April 13, 2010, Republican runoff primary.