Outgoing City Council President Michael J. Jones is hopeful that a Jones will continue to fill the 9th District seat after he gives it up to prepare to serve in the General Assembly.

A full-time minister, Dr. Jones is encouraging his colleagues on the city’s governing body to name current 9th District School Board member Nicole Jones as his successor.

Dr. Jones, a San Diego native, has previously said that they are not related despite sharing a last name.

“I am backing her because I think she would do a wonderful job for the people of this district,” he said. “I don’t believe there is anyone more qualified.”

Ms. Jones, deputy director of the nonprofit Art 180, confirmed Monday that she has advised her colleagues of plans to leave to take the appointment and also would run for a four-year term on council in 2024.

However, her plan to run next year could create some pushback.

The Free Press has been advised that several members of the council want to uphold the policy of only appointing a short-term successor and would not be interested in selecting Ms. Jones if she was considering running for afull term in 2024.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an aide to one member noted, “This time there will be a year left in the term, and that would give an appointee a significant advantage if they run for the seat.

“Council has tried to avoid doing that,” the aide continued, “and has mostly sought to fill vacancies with people who are willing only to serve until voters can elect their choice for a new council member.”

Dr. Jones is the only member of the council to publicly recommend an individual for the 9th District post.

Others members are keeping mum and offering no comment about their choice for the position.

Dr. Jones is expected to resign around Nov. 10 after his election to be the delegate in the 77th House District is certified.

Now in his second term as the 9th District council representative, he is unopposed in his bid for the House seat that includes parts of the city’s South Side as well as a portion of Chesterfield County. Ranked strongly Democratic, the district is a product of the redraw of legislative district boundaries that followed the 2020 Census.

Once he formally notifies the council that he has stepped down, that would trigger a plan now in place for council to select a successor. The plan calls for the vacancy to be advertised, for submissions to be

reviewed, for several finalists to be interviewed and for an appointment to be made ahead of the final meeting before Christmas.