A Democrat running for a Madison County judgeship is taking an unusual approach to his campaign: admitting outright that he is not tough on crime.

Jason M. Jones, the Democratic nominee for Madison County District Court Place 4, told WHNT he intends to be “fair” on crime instead.

“I’m not a candidate who’s saying I’m tough on crime because I’m not,” Jones said. “I am fair on crime. Whether you’re a defendant, whether you’re a victim, you want to ensure that fairness prevails, and that’s what a judge’s job is. I promise to be impartial and ensure that fairness leads the day.”

According to his campaign website, Jones is an attorney who “is committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring every person is treated with dignity, and applying the law fairly and impartially for the people.”

Jones is also one of three Madison County judicial candidates endorsed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Action Fund.

“Madison County has an important opportunity to elect a strong roster of principled judges who are committed to equity and accountability in the legal system,” said Madison Hollon, senior program manager of political campaigns for the SPLC Action Fund. “Electing these candidates, who bring with them decades of legal experience, will help ensure that every resident in the county who has an issue that comes before the judiciary is treated with dignity and fairness.”

Jones faces John Allen in the November general election. Allen has made setting higher bail amounts for serious crimes a centerpiece of his campaign.

“We need judges who, in those type of cases and serious crimes, will set appropriate bonds,” Allen said. “That is a real issue in certain cities across the country of people committing serious crimes and low bonds, and you end up with a revolving door at the courthouse and at the jail, and you can’t have that.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee.