THE CANDIDATE
Jason comes from a working-class family and grew up with values that shaped his world view – values like hard work, honesty, and fairness. The grandson of a bricklayer and son of small business owners, Jason worked minimum-wage jobs during high school and eventually enlisted in the National Guard and worked construction jobs to pay his way through school.
After the September 11th terrorist attacks, Jason joined the active duty Army. He served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. Starting as a private and rising to the rank of captain, he learned the essence of servant leadership—always putting the needs of others before yourself—that continues to drive his work today.
When Jason returned home from war, he looked for ways to continue giving back to his community. He went to work helping Colorado veterans get their hard-earned benefits. Jason was named Denver’s pro-bono Lawyer of the Year for work helping service members transition from military to civilian life. In 2012, fueled by the same patriotism and sense of duty that drove him to enlist in the military, Jason spoke at the Democratic National Convention, making the case for President Obama’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Now Jason has taken his servant leadership to Congress, where he’s working to lower costs for working people, fight corruption, protect our environment, keep America safe, and hold President Trump accountable.Jason is not afraid to speak truth to power and do what’s right for Colorado. He served as an impeachment manager during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial. The New York Times has called Jason the Democratic Party’s “go to lawmaker” on tough assignments. And the Colorado Democratic Party recently named Jason Colorado’s “Democrat of the Year.”
Jason knows what it takes to win. In 2018, he defied the odds to beat a five-term Republican incumbent and help Democrats take back the House. He did it by running a people-powered grassroots campaign that took on special interests and refused to take a dime of corporate PAC money. Now, he’s once again helping Democrats take back political power, this time leading Democrats’ candidate recruitment to help take back the House in 2026.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.