Peter Lawson Jones

Who is Peter Lawson Jones?

Peter Lawson Jones is an African-American politician of the Democratic party. A resident of Shaker Heights, Ohio, he formerly served as a county commissioner in Cuyahoga County.

Jones served on the Shaker Heights city council, and in 1994, he was the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Rob Burch. He served as a state representative from 1997 to 2002. In February 2002, after county commissioner Jane Campbell was elected mayor of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party appointed Jones to replace her on the commission.

He received his BA magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1975, and his juris doctor from Harvard in 1980. He has extensive professional and community affiliations, and works at the law firm Roetzel & Andress in addition to his legislative duties.

In 2007, Jones made news with two dissenting votes on major decisions. He opposed the sales tax increase for Cuyahoga County from 7.5% to 7.75%. The tax, earmarked to pay for a new convention center and medical mart, was passed by a 2-1 vote, and it took effect on October 1, 2007. Jones also opposed the demolition of the Ameritrust Tower, which the county bought as a potential location for a new administration building, but later decided to sell.