Billy Jones speaks from the back porch of Historic Saranac Lake’s museum at Edward Livingston Trudeau’s former home and office, on June 28. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, a longtime representative of the North Country known for bringing his daughter Ella, 12, by his side on his travels around the expansive 115th Assembly District, announced at a press conference in Plattsburgh that he will be stepping down from his seat at the end of August. Jones, the region’s only state representative in the Democratic Party, said he is doing so to spend more time with his family and to pursue a new opportunity. His resignation will trigger a special election to fill the seat.

This is a breaking news story and more information will be added as it becomes available.