RALEIGH – Sailor Jones, an advocacy and communications leader with more than a decade of experience working on pro-democracy and social justice issues in North Carolina, has joined Common Cause NC as the organization’s new associate director.

As associate director, Jones will work alongside Bob Phillips, the longtime executive director of Common Cause NC, in leading the organization’s staff and guiding its work that includes protecting voting rights, ending gerrymandering, empowering HBCU students and building an inclusive democracy.

“Sailor brings a wealth of experience in championing pro-democracy issues and meaningfully connecting with communities throughout North Carolina. He has a passion for empowering people, fighting injustice and amplifying the voices of all North Carolinians, especially those who are far too often forgotten,” Phillips said. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have Sailor join our team at this critical moment when our work to sustain and strengthen democracy for all has never been more important.”

Jones will help lead efforts to build grassroots support for pro-voter policies and engage the public on critical issues, including equal access to the polls, fair voting maps and responsive representation in government that reflects the diverse communities of North Carolina.

“As a longtime coalition partner working alongside Common Cause NC, I’ve been fortunate enough to see first-hand the organization’s impressive record of beating back the scourge of gerrymandering, increasing transparency in our elections, and improving access for voters in my home state. I am honored to join such a fantastic team in this crucial moment when North Carolina is once again at the epicenter of the fight for the future of our nation’s democracy,” Jones said. “There is no greater movement education than the one you receive fighting for a more equitable south, and leaning on those experiences I am ready to get to work on Common Cause NC’s key programs and campaigns to ensure that all of my fellow North Carolinians have a chance to make their voices heard in the important elections ahead.”

Prior to joining Common Cause NC, Jones was communications director with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and campaigns director with Democracy North Carolina. In both roles, he supervised messaging and communications work, digital efforts, resource creation and training and worked closely with internal teams and external partners to coordinate successful organizing and advocacy campaigns and programs.

He has served in various roles with other North Carolina-based organizations, such as Equality NC, the League of Women Voters of NC, NARAL Pro Choice NC, NC AIDS Action Network, North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections and the North Carolina NAACP.

Jones hails from rural Eastern North Carolina and is a proud graduate of both UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Common Cause NC is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.