U.S. Rep. Walter Jones dies at age 76

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones Jr., R-N.C., died Sunday on his 76th birthday. He entered hospice care last month after breaking his hip. Jones, who had served in Congress since 1995, was known for following his own convictions even if it put him at odds with his political party. “It’s absolutely about principle,” he said in a 2018 interview. “When I leave Congress, I would rather have one thing said about me: ‘I will never question Walter Jones’ integrity.’”

After the United States failed to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Jones became one of the first Republicans to withdraw his support from the war in there. He ultimately signed more than 11,000 condolence letters to the families of soldiers killed in action, in part, he said, because he regretted supporting the war in the first place. Before taking a leave of absence last year amid failing health, he pushed for debate in the House about bringing troops home from Afghanistan.

Jones also advocated for campaign finance reform and controlling the national debt. His father, Walter Jones Sr., served as the congressman for the 1st District of North Carolina from 1966 until his death in 1992. The winner of a special election will complete Jones’ two-year term in the coastal 3rd District.

Born in Farmville, N.C., he attended Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia during high school. In 1966, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College, now known as Barton College. His wife, Joe Anne, and daughter, Ashley survive him.