ROBERT E.

JONES

for Democrats Abroad

Regional Vice Chair - EMEA

Proven Strategist

Progressive Values

As a recent expat with decades of professional experience in high-level Democratic campaigns, communications, fundraising and GOTV, I am ready to help Democrats Abroad exceed our goals in 2024 and beyond.

personal

  • Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas
  • Resides in the Netherlands with his wife, Jessica, and pup, Charley
  • Masters, Political Management -- George Washington University
  • Masters, Social Business & Entrepreneurship – London School of Economics
  • Classically trained chef graduate of the Culinary Institute of America

pOLITICAL

  • More than two decades professional experience in progressive & Democratic politics
  • Worked through the ranks at the local, state, congressional, and presidential levels
  • Served as senior staff at the Texas Democratic Caucus, EMILY’s List, Annie’s List (TX), Environmental Defense Fund
  • Bundler for Biden-Harris campaign, the Presidential Transition Fund

PROFESSIONAL

  • Current Vice President of Global Public Affairs for Mosa Meat, a Dutch cellular agriculture company
  • President of Cellular Agriculture Europe, a Brussels-based industry association
  • Appointed to advise U.S. Secretary of Commerce on natural resources issues in 2021

VALUES & VISION

Robert has dedicated his professional life to creating the enabling conditions necessary to realize our shared values in the Democratic Party platform.


He has worked for decades against extremists to protect women's reproductive freedoms, to advocate for criminal justice reform and fair redistricting, to protect oceans, and combat the climate crisis.


Under the leadership of the incoming Global Chair, he is ready to put his experience to work to support the leaders of the EMEA region to build on the successes of 2020 while laying the foundation for many more election cycles of growth.


Robert would like to thank the following individuals for sharing their vote of confidence.

AMBASSADOR ALEXA LANGE WESNER (Ret.)

Austria, 2013-2017


"Long before President Obama appointed me as Ambassador to Austria, I worked closely with Robert to build progressive infrastructure in Texas to elect pro-choice Democratic women, register tens-of-thousand of voters, and to fight against the Republicans' misinformation machine. I have seen firsthand that overseas ballots can be the margin of victory in key races and I know Democrats Abroad would be well-served to have Robert in a leadership position this election cycle."


KENNY THOMPSON, JR.

Member-at-Large of the DNC

Fmr. Special Assistant to President Obama

Fmr. Director of Message Events for Vice-President Biden

Member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans


"Democrats Abroad could greatly benefit from Robert's extensive experience and strategic mind. He has been a friend and mentor for almost twenty years now, including working together to raise critical resources for President Biden. His successful track record of building election and advocacy campaigns has earned him respect from donors and operatives, including in the current Administration."




“I know first hand from my time as CEO of the DNC that the Democrats Abroad provides vital connection, leadership, ideas, and resources for our community and our work. And I know from my work with Robert over the years that he shares our values and our focus. For years, he has worked hard to help develop Democratic leaders and programs designed to win. He is a values-driven, strategic leader who understands how to develop tactics to help us communicate our message successfully and to elect Democrats at all levels.”


JESS O'CONNELL

Fmr. CEO of the DNC

Fmr. Executive Director of EMILY's List

Founder + CEO, NEWCO Strategies

KELLIE DUPREE

National Director of Grants and Development at America Votes.


"Robert's broad electoral and advocacy experience makes him perfectly suited for the work ahead of us in the next few years. Throughout my political career I have turned to him for advice on building strong campaigns. His mentorship has helped bolster a generation of progressive activists and his strategic mind would be a great asset to the goals of Democrats Abroad."


KAMANZI KALISA

Fmr. Director, Help America Vote Act Program, Georgia Secretary of State

Fmr. Director, Election Policy & Programming, Council of State Governments

Program Manager, Office of the Deputy Mayor of Washington, D.C. for Planning and Economic Development



“I proudly endorse Robert Jones to be Regional Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad for the Europe, Middle East, Africa region. It’s because of Robert that I was first introduced as a young adult to the full range of political campaign and grassroots organizing skills.


I used those skills to serve on two statewide progressive campaigns and then to become the first African American at the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to manage the Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act Program – a federal election voting rights law that covers all U.S. citizens residing overseas.


Robert is an extremely dedicated public servant with a passion for coalition building and appealing to the many diverse stakeholders and communities that encompass today’s Democratic Party at home and abroad.”



"Robert is one of the best operatives I've worked with over my 20+ years in Democratic politics. His commitment to Democratic values is proven not only through his career in electing Democrats at every level of the ballot, but in his deep commitment to mentoring an extensive network of political operatives across the country. Democrats Abroad will find no more dedicated leader and strategist to help move their mission forward."


DENISE FERIOZZI

Co-founder of the Pipeline Fund

Principal, Civitas Public Affairs

Fmr. Deputy Executive Director at EMILY's List.

LISA WIEDMANN

Director of Operations at FBC Generosity Experts

Volunteer with Democrats Abroad in Germany.



"Robert is eminently qualified to serve as RVC for EMEA, with decades’ experience as a successful political strategist, and as VP of Global Public Affairs for a leading-edge company in the Netherlands. We met on the campaign trail in Texas during the 2004 campaign season, and I've witnessed first-hand his astute assessments of political developments and prescriptions in real time.


A calm and reassuring presence, Robert is able to defuse tensions and lead with diplomacy. His deep understanding of public policy, GOTV, political dynamics, campaign mechanics, messaging, and fundraising form a powerful skills set that many stateside have leveraged and which are now poised to help position Democrats Abroad for victory heading into 2024.


To top it off, he’s a really nice guy with a heart of gold. I enthusiastically offer my full endorsement."