In 1940, Jones was a candidate for lieutenant governor of New Mexico. He lost the Democratic Party nomination in the primary election to Ceferino Quintana. Jones ran again in 1942, and won the nomination, defeating A. K. Montgomery and two other candidates in September. He then won the general election. Jones served two terms as lieutenant governor to Governor John J. Dempsey. He served as acting governor for 268 days over 21 separate occasions when Dempsey was out of the state.
