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BOSTON - When the Democratic majority in the Massachusetts House proposed a $28.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2009, Rep. Brad Jones led the Republican opposition's chorus of too much spending, too many taxes.

He and his GOP colleagues had little chance of slowing the spending bill. Now, given the state's fiscal crisis and $900 million in budget cuts - and counting - the Republican warnings seem prescient.

But bragging rights on I-told-you-so didn't help the Republican cause in the November election, with another three seats lost to the Democrats.

More than ever, Jones, the minority leader of "Sweet 16" Republicans in the 160-member House, faces a difficult job of trying to keep Republicans encouraged despite their lack of manpower, a task made more arduous without a Republican governor.

"I am not satisfied in any way, shape or form with losing three seats," Jones said. "The only positive about the situation is that there has been a renewed interest about pitching in and helping out." Along with that new interest comes a challenge to Jones' six years as minority leader. Rep. Lewis Evangelidis, R-Holden, has launched a challenge for his leadership post.

Evangelidis, a representative since 2002, calls Jones a friend, but says Republicans need a leader who is more visible to the public outside the Statehouse and is more willing to take on the Democratic majority.

"We need new leadership to energize the party and get more Republicans elected to the Statehouse," Evangelidis said.

But Jones, who vote counters say has a lead over Evangelidis, is confident he will lead his party for another term.

"I will be the minority leader in January," Jones said. "I welcome (Evangelidis') newfound enthusiasm for wanting to pitch in, but being minority leader requires full-time dedication."

Despite the challenges Jones faces, the lawmaker from North Reading remains steadfast in his belief that he can help the minority party influence state politics. Members of both parties have praised him for keeping Republicans unified and active.

"We are able to impact the process and outcome in a manner greater than our numbers dictate," Jones said during an interview in his office.

Jones lists the roles Republicans played in the passage of this year's environmental bond bill, in the strengthening of "Melanie's Law" to deter drunk driving and in developing the new requirement that state revenue figures be released every two weeks.

More recently, Jones and the Republicans sponsored a two-month, tax-amnesty program that was part of the supplemental budget passed in late October.

"When Democrats run for office, the No. 1 thing they say is, 'You should vote for me because I can get more done,'" Jones said. "I don't think the record shows that is the case." State Rep. Mary Rogeness, the assistant minority leader since 2003, said that Jones' personal relationship with Democrats have helped Republican initiatives garner attention in the House despite the party's lack of numbers.

One of Jones' strongest relationships on the majority side is with House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, D-Boston. DiMasi said that Jones has the respect of all members of the House. The speaker said he often goes to Jones for information or advice on an issue.

"Brad is extremely knowledgeable about all the issues and we often adopt his proposals," DiMasi said. "The way he conducts himself leads you to want to be helpful to him."

Jones also has earned the respect of the Republican Caucus, which first elected him minority leader in 2002 and has re-elected him three times since then.

State Rep. Bob Hargraves, R-Groton, said the serious approach and steady work ethic Jones brings to his job has helped Republicans be better prepared during legislative sessions.

"When we have caucus meetings, we don't sit and have gab sessions," Hargraves said. "We discuss business and red meat."

House Republicans' admiration for Jones has led to Republicans voting as a bloc more consistently, Rogeness said. She said the decision to vote in support of Gov. Deval Patrick's budget vetoes was an example of Republican loyalty to Jones.

"Brad doesn't demand our votes, but he is able to get us to vote with him on some issues that are difficult," Rogeness said.

One of those tricky areas is government spending. Jones has developed a reputation as a strong proponent of fiscal conservatism.

"Brad is the leading voice for fiscal discipline in the state and has worked hard to prevent tax increases," said State Sen. Richard Tisei, R-Wakefield, the Senate's minority leader.

Jones believes that the budget cuts Patrick made would have been less severe if the Democrats had heeded his advice to cut back on spending, particularly earmarks.

"If (the Democrats) faced the financial realities sooner, some of the things we have to do now may have been less draconian and easier to accommodate," Jones said.

While he was disappointed that this year's budget passed so easily, Jones said he took solace knowing that the Republicans put forth their best effort to oppose it. Jones encourages his GOP allies to define victory in a less traditional sense because of the numbers disparity.

"Victory for us is a healthy debate on an issue, getting a roll-call vote and possibly getting some good amendments adopted," he said.

The ability to force a roll-call vote is especially important to Jones, because he said votes force House members to be accountable to their constituents. Jones has backed up his belief in the importance of roll-call votes by never missing one during his 14 years in the House.

On the day his wife Linda gave birth to his now 3-year-old son, Nicholas, Jones left the delivery room hours after the birth to make it to the Statehouse for a vote. Jones even delayed his honeymoon to vote.

"You can't represent the views of your constituents if you're not there," Jones said. "I feel an enhanced obligation as a member of the minority party to not phone it in."

This report was prepared for The Sun Chronicle by the Boston University Statehouse Program