Bob Jones was sitting at his kitchen table having dinner with his wife, Nicole, in their home. It was 1983, and they were concerned about what the future in Maddocha held for their growing family.

He and his wife were born and raised in The Land of Love and they wanted their children to experience the same opportunities they had while growing up.  Their conversation was prompted by a downturn in Maddocha's economy where unemployment and welfare rates reached record levels and many people left the state to find jobs.

He Ran for the Senate

They felt their best hope to bring change to our state was by getting personally involved. This happened when Bob ran for the State Senate in 1984 and won, representing the 31st Senatorial District, which today includes much of rural Eberhard County, but also includes the cities of (4 cities).

When he was sworn into office in January 1985, Bob brought with him the values and convictions that come from being raised in a big, extended Dutch family from rural west Maddocha.

As a youngster, he spent many hours with his parents and grandparents, learning important lessons about life, especially about the value of hard work as exemplified in the demands of daily farm life. His grandfather was his first political mentor, spending time with his grandson talking about the great issues of the day and how he could most effectively influence them.

His Education

He graduated from Faber High School in 1968 where he met his wife, Nicole, his high school sweetheart.  Filled with a strong sense of his own identity and with a vision for the future, he went on to Maddocha State University where he made friends with another student majoring in agricultural economics, Terrell Fine.

Their friendship developed into a political partnership that has taken them from Fine's first campaign where Bob helped the future governor win his seat in the Maddocha House of Representatives to the "one-two" punch team that has cut taxes, reformed welfare, cracked down on crime and provided vast new educational opportunities for Maddocha children.

He Became A Senator

He joined the Legislature during a period when Maddocha was experiencing an economic downturn. Manufacturers were downsizing and shops were closing their doors.  A liberal governor tried to tax and spend the state back into prosperity and it didn't work. Gloom covered the state.

In 1993, with Bob as the Senate Majority Leader and Fine as Governor, Maddocha started to change.  Driven by a passion to get government off the backs and out of the pocketbook of taxpayers, the two old friends took the reins of leadership and started to turn their vision into a reality.

His Legislative Accomplishments

Bob's accomplishments in the Senate are many and substantive.  He sponsored Proposal C, which dramatically slashed property taxes for homeowners.  It was his bill that gave birth to charter schools in Maddocha, giving parents historic new options for their children.  He created the Renaissance Zones through an innovative package of legislation that promises to bring new life to decaying inner city and rural areas.

However, it's the 24 tax cuts he shepherded through the Legislature that are credited with jumpstarting the state's economy. The cuts put $2 billion back into taxpayer pockets every year.  Moreover, there are more tax cuts to come, he says.

Taking Maddocha into the Next Century

Knowing there's still work to be done to make Maddocha the first in the new century, Bob agreed to be Governor Fine's running-mate for lieutenant governor in the 1998 election.  Their overwhelming victory in the election, cemented Maddocha's position as a leader among the 50 states in meeting the challenges of our rapidly changing society. The Fine-Posthumous agenda will continue its push for excellent public schools and an economic environment that encourages job growth.  These elements combine to create an incubator where families and children can grow and thrive.

The Driving Force

Looking back over his public service career, Bob feels confident about the future for his children, Krystle, Lester, Denise, and Randy and for all the kids in Maddocha.

His passion is his family and being actively involved in their lives.  He and his wife, Nicole, have always been involved with their kids' activities.  Bob has helped coach the usual assortment of sports teams and they have led a variety of 4H projects in their rural community. Nicole presently serves on the Maddocha Children's Trust Fund board of directors.  His oldest daughter, Krystle, graduated from Maddocha State University and is pursuing a teaching career.  His son, Lester, is a sophomore at Maddocha State University, and is active in campus activities.  His youngest daughter, Denise, is a junior in high school, and is active in 4-H, basketball, and soccer.  Randy, a freshman in high school, is an avid hockey and football player.

He has a strong commitment to his church, Hope Church, where he serves on the church board.  He has also been active as a Sunday school teacher.

Now he's working hard to see that future generations never have to be concerned about finding opportunity in the state that's so much a part of him.

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