Experienced Attorney, Advocate for the Vulnerable, and Voice for Working Families Seeks to Serve Lincoln Parish.
RUSTON, La. — Attorney Gina Jones today announced her candidacy for Ruston City Court Judge, bringing more than two decades of legal experience, a lifelong commitment to public service, and a vision for a court system that is both accountable and compassionate, for ALL.
A daughter of a blue-collar family and a former Army brat who proudly calls Lincoln Parish home, Jones understands the challenges facing working families because she has lived them.
“I wasn’t born into privilege or old money,” Jones said. “My family worked hard for every opportunity we had. My sister and I became the first college graduates in our family because we were taught that success comes from hard work, perseverance, and service to others. Those values have guided my life and my legal career, and they will guide me as judge.”
Jones has built her career fighting for families, children, and individuals who often have no one else to advocate for them. As the mother of Jillian, her profoundly disabled, nonverbal daughter, she has firsthand experience navigating complex systems while advocating for vulnerable individuals.
“Being Jillian’s mother has taught me lessons no classroom or courtroom ever could,” Jones said. “It has given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families. It has strengthened my belief that justice must be accessible to everyone, especially those who are often overlooked or exploited.”
If elected, Jones plans to pursue innovative court programs that have demonstrated success in reducing crime, strengthening families, and improving outcomes for everyone in the community.
Her priorities include:
• Expanding opportunities for first-time, nonviolent offenders to participate in diversion programs that require accountability while helping individuals avoid lifelong consequences from a single mistake.
• Establishing a Recovery Court model to help individuals struggling with substance abuse receive treatment, supervision, and support while protecting public safety.
• Developing a Mental Health Court focused on connecting participants with counseling, medication management, transportation assistance, and other resources necessary for long-term stability and recovery.
• Increasing protections for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are frequently targeted and manipulated by repeat offenders.
• Promoting transparency, fairness, and public confidence throughout the court system.
Jones believes that public safety is strongest when courts address the root causes of crime while holding offenders accountable.
“We cannot arrest our way out of every problem,” Jones said. “When addiction, untreated mental illness, trauma, or disability contribute to someone’s involvement in the justice system, we should be committed to solutions that reduce repeat offenses and make our community safer. Accountability and rehabilitation are not competing values—they work together.”
Throughout her legal career, Jones has been known for her tireless work ethic and dedication to her clients. “No one will outwork me,” Jones said. “I have spent my career showing up for families, children, and our community. I will bring that same commitment, energy, and preparation to the bench every single day.”
Jones also plans to continue her advocacy for children with disabilities and educational access, causes that have remained central to her professional and personal life.
“Ruston and Lincoln Parish deserve a court system that is fair, efficient, and focused on making our community stronger,” Jones said. “I am running because I believe we can reduce crime, improve lives, and ensure that justice works for everyone.”
For more information about Gina Jones and her campaign, please visit the campaign website on Facebook at Gina Jones for Ruston City Court Judge. About Gina Jones Gina Jones is a longtime attorney, advocate, and resident of Lincoln Parish. She has dedicated her legal career to serving families, children, and vulnerable populations.
A mother of two daughters, Jones has spent her life advocating for those whose voices are too often unheard. She is seeking election as Ruston City Court Judge to bring fairness, accountability, and innovative solutions for ALL.
The views of this Letter to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the view of the LPJ publishing staff.
