Ted Jones, a veteran lobbyist in Baton Rouge who could trace his Louisiana political lineage to Earl Long, died overnight, sources close to his family tell our media partners at The Advocate.
Jones, 85, was a fixture in Louisiana politics – and was active in Washington, D.C., too – going back to the 1950s, the newspaper reports.
He actually got his start playing guitar in a band that warmed up audiences for Earl Long during the 1948 governor’s race, which Long won.
Jones later spent some 50 years playing guitar in the band that performed with Jimmie Davis, a popular singer who was governor from 1944-48 and 1960-64.
To read the Advocate's full story about Jones, click here.
Gov. John Bel Edwards offered the following statement:
“Today we lost a legend in Ted Jones, a fixture in Louisiana politics who launched his career from the stage of the Louisiana Hayride and then for more than six decades walked the halls of the State Capitol, worked in the Congress and led the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians as it brought the spirit of Mardi Gras to Washington, D.C. Over the course of his career, he served as a confidant and adviser to senators, congressmen and governors, myself included. I will forever be grateful to Ted for his counsel and confidence and his love and vision for Louisiana. Please join Donna and me in prayer for Ted’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
