Biography
Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., is the fellow in political science at the Baker Institute, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and a professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University.
Jones also serves as the faculty director of Rice’s Master of Global Affairs program. His research focuses on the effect of electoral laws and other political institutions on governance, representation and voting. He has received substantial financial support for this research, including grants from the National Science Foundation. His research has been published in journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, Electoral Studies and the Journal of Politics, as well as in edited volumes published by Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Penn State University Press, among others. He is a frequent contributor to Texas media outlets, and his research on the Texas Legislature has been widely cited in the media as well as by numerous political campaigns.
Jones regularly advises U.S. government institutions on economic and political affairs in Argentina and has conducted research on public policy issues in Latin America and Texas for numerous international, national and local organizations, including the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the city of Houston. He is a frequent commentator in local, state, national and international media on government, politics and public policy. He is currently working on two principal research agendas, one that examines the impact of political institutions on politics and public policy in Latin America, and the other that analyzes the evolution of partisan politics in Texas over the past 50 years. Jones received his doctorate from the University of Michigan and his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.
Jones leads the Baker Institute’s Argentina Program and helps direct the Presidential Elections Program.
Contact at mpjones@rice.edu or 713-348-2107.
Recent Publications
This Week in Texas Travels to Austin and Looks at Big Moments From Week 1 of Ken Paxton’s Trial
How will the 16 articles of impeachment facing Attorney General Ken Paxton impact voter support? “One in four Republican primary voters will still be with the attorney general when all of the testimony & trial concludes,” fellow Mark P. Jones said.
‘Death Star law’ to Abortion: The New Rightwing Laws Taking Effect in Texas
Hundreds of new Texas laws come into effect today, including anti-LGBTQ measures, new state funding for anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers,” and other legislation Fellow Mark P. Jones calls a “smorgasbord of red meat for the Republican base.”
Is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a Losing Battle Regardless of the Impeachment Trial Outcome?
“It’s especially a bad look if the end result is acquittal,” said fellow Mark P. Jones, following reports that Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who will preside over the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, accepted millions from a pro-Paxton PAC.
Books and Book Chapters
External Publications
“Houston Election 2023: Voter Policy Priorities & Opinions,” Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, August 1, 2023.
“Analysis: The 2023 Texas House, From Right to Left,” The Texas Tribune, June 20, 2023.
“Paxton Impeachment: Political Theater in Texas Could Have Big Implications,” The Messenger, June 5, 2023.
“Voting in Old and New Democracies,” Latin American Politics and Society, November 2018.
“Texas: No Country for Young Voters?,” TribTalk, October 12, 2018.
“Excitement Builds for Beto’s Challenge to Cruz, but He’s Still Going to Lose,” Dallas Observer, August 28, 2018.
“Six Texas Races Could Determine Whether Democrats Flip the House,” TribTalk, August 23, 2018.
“Beto O’Rourke Is Dominating Ted Cruz in Enthusiasm and Fundraising — But He’s Still Headed for Defeat,” The Hill, July 13, 2018.
“Two Distinct Democratic Options in the SD-19 Special Election,” TribTalk, July 9, 2018.
“Cook Political Report Got It Wrong: Reps. Sessions and Culberson’s Districts Are Not ‘Toss-ups’,” The Hill, June 18, 2018.
“Five Republican Run-offs to Watch in Texas,” The Hill, May 21, 2018.
“Democrats Are Geared Up for Primary Runoff D-Day in Texas,” The Hill, May 18, 2018.
“Special Election to Replace Blake Farenthold Will Be a Summer Twofer,” The Hill, April 26, 2018.
“The Texas House Districts Most Vulnerable to Flipping in 2018,” TribTalk, April 24, 2018.
“Jones: Dems or GOP Going Too Far? Tell Them in the Primary,” Houston Chronicle, January 27, 2018.
“Upcoming Battles in the Ongoing Texas GOP Civil War,” TribTalk, December 19, 2017.
“Seven Texas Lawmakers Leaving Congress Means a Younger, More Diverse Delegation,” The Hill, December 3, 2017.
“The 2017 Texas House & Senate, From Left to Right: Post Special-session Edition,” TribTalk, November 20, 2017.
“Texas Loses Two All-star Lawmakers in One Week,” The Hill, November 5, 2017.
“The Consolidation of the Macri Era: It’s Morning in Argentina,” Center for Strategic & International Studies, October 23, 2017.
“Texas Democrats Smell Blood in the Water for 2018,” The Hill, October 21, 2017.
“The Decline of Democratic Influence in the Texas House: 2009-2017,” TribTalk, October 16, 2017.
“A Strong Party System and Peace in El Salvador,” Inter-American Development Bank, October 13, 2017.
“Partisan Redistricting in Texas: How Much Is Too Much?,” TribTalk, August 23, 2017.
“A Banner Night and a Brighter Future for Argentina’s President Macri,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, August 14, 2017.
“The Argentine August 13 Primaries and the Macri Administration’s Future,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, August 7, 2017.
“The Conservative Drift of the Texas Senate: 2011-2017,” TribTalk, July 17, 2017.
“Criticism of Trump Is Piling Up. But What Has He Done Right?,” Houston Chronicle, July 12, 2017.
“The 2017 Texas Senate, From Right to Left,” TribTalk, June 19, 2017.
“Guest Column: Voting Histories Could Count in Runoffs,” Texas Tribune, April 8, 2014.
“Guest Column: Why Three Republicans Made the Hot List,” Texas Tribune, February 13, 2014.
“GOP Primary Deserves More Attention From Voters,” Houston Chronicle, February 1, 2014.
“Guest Column: Anglo Women the Key for Texas Democrats,” Texas Tribune, December 4, 2013.
“Guest Column: The 2013 Texas House, From Right to Left,” Texas Tribune October 15, 2013.
“The Great Right Hope,” Texas Monthly, October 2013.
“A (Texas) Liberal in a Red State,” Texas Tribune, July 10, 2013.
“Guest Column: Red State, Purple Legislation,” Texas Tribune, June 18, 2013.
“Guest Column: Republican Candidates, Side by Side,” Texas Tribune, May 7, 2012.
“Guest Column: How Partisan Are Texas State Senators?,” Texas Tribune, February 28, 2012.
“Guest Column: The GOP Flipped on Tuition Issue, but Perry Hasn’t,” Texas Tribune, September 27, 2011.
“Strategic Posture Review: Argentina,” World Politics Review, March 15, 2011.