Emily Jones Officially Qualifies for State School Board

Emily Jones has officially qualified as the Republican candidate for the Alabama State Board of Education in District 8, the Alabama Republican Party confirmed as qualifying opened for the 2026 election cycle. The District covers Madison, Limestone, Jackson and DeKalb Counties in North Alabama.

Jones, a Madison County mother and long-time education advocate, has framed her campaign around her experience as a parent with a child currently in the classroom. She says that firsthand perspective informs her view on the state of Alabama’s public schools.

“I’m running because I’m a mom who sees what’s happening inside our classrooms — not from a policy memo, but from my kitchen table,” Jones said. “Parents across Alabama are raising concerns about academic decline, excessive screen time, and schools being asked to solve problems they were never meant to handle. I understand those concerns because I live them.”

Jones says her campaign will focus on restoring educational excellence, strengthening parental authority, and ensuring schools prioritize literacy, numeracy and knowledge-based learning over what she describes as ideological agendas.

“Our children deserve a deep, comprehensive education that builds strong readers, critical thinkers, and capable citizens,” Jones said. “Instead, too many classrooms are becoming testing grounds for emotionally-based programs, digital dependency, and policies that sideline parents.”

Jones has been a vocal advocate for local control in education. She has criticized what she and other parents view as excessive outside influence on classroom policies and curriculum decisions. In an opinion piece, Jones argued that schools must honor parental rights and ensure meaningful consent for new educational tools and services.

Jones founded the first Moms for Liberty chapter in Alabama and has written pieces for ALpolitics.com on emerging issues like artificial intelligence in schools and returning printed books to Alabama schools.

Jones says her campaign is rooted in a simple belief: parents are not obstacles to education — they are partners, and often the first to recognize when something isn’t working.

“Alabama families want schools that educate; that challenge students academically, not label them emotionally; and that respect parents as the primary stakeholders in their children’s lives,” Jones said.

The Republican primary for the District 8 seat will be held May 19, 2026, ahead of the November general election. The seat is open after incumbent Wayne Reynolds announced he will not seek re-election.

For more information on Jones and her campaign, visit https://www.emilyjonesforstateboard.com or follow her on social media.