Jones succeeds longtime director, Bob Phillips

RALEIGH, NC – Today, Common Cause announced Sailor Jones, one of North Carolina’s foremost democracy advocates, as state director for the Tar Heel state.

He succeeds Bob Phillips, who retired from the organization this month after helming Common Cause’s North Carolina office for a quarter-century as a stalwart champion of voter empowerment and government accountability. During his time as director, Phillips built the largest Common Cause office in the organization’s national network of grassroots advocates.

Jones played a key role in the growth of Common Cause’s North Carolina statewide operation. Since 2022, he served as deputy director of Common Cause North Carolina, leading the organization’s efforts to protect the freedom to vote, strengthen civic engagement, and ensure everyday people have a voice in democracy.

“Sailor’s wealth of experience perfectly positions him to continue Common Cause’s long history of driving a more accountable, representative government in the Tar Heel state and beyond,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO of Common Cause. “North Carolina is ground zero for fair maps, fair elections, and fair courts, and I’m confident in Sailor’s organizing and advocacy experience to unite diverse communities to protect access to the ballot box in a pivotal election year. We’re profoundly grateful to Bob for his years of outstanding leadership and we look forward to seeing Sailor take our people-powered work to new heights.”

“It thrills me to pass the torch to Sailor Jones,” Phillips said. “It’s been a privilege to serve alongside Sailor and our Common Cause North Carolina family, as well as our members, supporters, and allies throughout these past two decades. I’m thankful for what we’ve accomplished together. As I move on from this phase of my career, I’m so pleased to know Common Cause North Carolina is in Sailor’s immensely capable hands. I can’t wait to see the extraordinary things he and this dynamic team will achieve for our state, and I look forward to being a part of that as a Common Cause NC member.”

“I’m deeply appreciative of Bob for his incredible leadership and all he has done for our state. It’s an honor to be part of the great team at Common Cause North Carolina,” Jones said. “As a proud North Carolinian, I love our state and its wonderful people – whether homegrown or newly arrived. I know that when we unite for a shared purpose, we can do anything. Our state deserves a thriving, multiracial democracy where everyone has a seat at the table. We’ll keep fighting each day to reach that promise for all people in North Carolina.”

During his time at Common Cause North Carolina, Jones has played a key part in victories that include:

• Winning at the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Moore v. Harper, ensuring voters – not politicians – decide North Carolina’s elections;
• Galvanizing overwhelming public opposition against losing candidate Jefferson Griffin’s failed attempt to overturn the 2024 NC Supreme Court election. Jones helped lead efforts to protect the rights of more than 60,000 North Carolinians whose ballots were unjustly challenged by Griffin;
• Connecting with communities across the state to build a grassroots campaign encouraging North Carolinians to use the power of their votes and engage in democracy year-round.

Prior to joining Common Cause North Carolina, Jones was communications director with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and campaigns director with Democracy North Carolina. 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 graduate of both UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.