Unfortunately, in spite of valent efforts, we did not qualify for this election. Thank you for your efforts, and I hope you will have good choices on election day!

Release Date: 03/08/2008

Today we submitted all forms to the Department of Elections. We were told if there was a problem they'd call before 5 pm. There was no phone call, and Jason Lee Jones is now listed on the "Pending Qualified Candidate List" with the San Francisco Department of Elections.

There will be another campaign update as soon as we learn more.

Release Date: 03/07/2008

I would like to thank everyone in their efforts to ensure that I'd make the April 8th Special Election ballot. Regrettably we fell short twelve (12) signatures, and therefore will not be competing in the Special Election. The Special Election was a surprise and totally unplanned, as we had only organized to compete on the June 3rd Congressional Primary. We will continue with the original objective as planned. Thank you again for all of your help and assistance.

Respectfully,

Jason Lee Jones

Comment Date: 02/25/2008

Jason Lee Jones Extends Condolences Following Death of Tom Lantos

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (February 11, 2008) -- Jason Lee Jones today extended his condolences to the family and friends of Congressman Tom Lantos, who died this morning at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

"Tom Lantos served this country with honor, and I was personally saddened just to hear he was to retire," said Jones. "For him to pass away so suddenly is a great shock to me, and my heart goes out to his family, friends, colleagues, and Macko. This is a great loss for the people of the 12th, and it must be said that Mr. Lantos can never be replaced, just relieved."

Jones, a Democrat, established his exploratory committee on the 8th of January and announced his run for Lantos' seat on February 1 after the congressman said he would not seek reelection following his diagnosis with cancer.

Release Date: 02/11/2008

Jason Lee Jones Announces Run for 12th District Congressional Seat

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (February 1, 2008) - Democrat Jason Lee Jones today announced his run for the Congressional 12th District seat left vacant by long-time Representative Tom Lantos' retirement following his diagnosis with esophageal cancer. "I am running for Congress because I believe I can represent the interests and the diversity of this district and this nation," Jones said Friday on the campus of San Francisco State University, where he is a student.

Jones made his announcement near the Garden of Remembrance, a memorial to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. Jones called the internments "a great blight on our flag, and a tragedy for those who believe we are all created equal" but added, "These citizens came back, reestablishing themselves in our society - and they have flourished! I draw great inspiration from this and stories like it. In spite of adversity and racism, they were not deterred - they did not allow the establishment to decide their fate."

It is his desire to challenge the political establishment and inject new energy into government that drives his campaign. "I believe this should be an election - not a coronation," Jones said, speaking of former State Senator Jackie Speier's otherwise unchallenged run for the seat. "I believe in democracy in action - not democracy inaction. You, the people of the 12th, deserve a choice. You deserve an opportunity to decide for yourselves, and not have the machines of the establishment decide for you."

Jones, 30, has never held office but has been involved in politics since he was a teenager in his home state of Georgia. Before moving to the Bay Area in 1996, he worked on Democrat Max Cleland's campaign for his U.S. Senate run. In 2003 and 2004, he then worked in several precincts for the Wesley Clark (D), John Edwards (D-NC), and John Kerry (D-MA) presidential campaigns.

Release Date: 02/01/2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for being here with me today. San Francisco State University is beautiful place, full of diversity, education, community service, and idealism. It is a place of higher learning and achieving the dream. There is no better place than the grounds of this fine institution to announce that I, Jason Lee Jones, am seeking the Democratic nomination to represent California's 12th Congressional District - the same district in which this university sits.

I am no fool, and I recognize the challenges of such a campaign. I recognize that we say we want change, yet often vote with the machine of power. I recognize that we seek inspiration, yet stay with what we know. I recognize all of these challenges and more, but I cannot be deterred.

Here behind me is a memorial to the Japanese Americans who were interned during the Second World War. This is a great blight on our flag, and a tragedy for those who believe we are all created equal. These citizens came back, reestablishing themselves in our society - and they have flourished! I draw great inspiration from this and stories like it. In spite of adversity and racism, they were not deterred - they did not allow the establishment to decide their fate.

On Thursday January 17th, The San Francisco Chronicle wrote "the race to represent the 12th Congressional District is looking more like a coronation" of former State Senator Jackie Speier. Perhaps this is true. However, I believe this should be an election - not a coronation. I believe in democracy in action - not democracy inaction. You the people of the 12th deserve a choice. You deserve an opportunity to decide for yourselves, and not have the machines of the establishment decide for you. In the end, if you choose Mrs. Speier, then you have made a choice - a choice otherwise unavailable.

I believe that we must have leaders; we must have people represent us who are unafraid of adversity. Those who do not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of their own possessions or achievements. We must have leaders with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

In his State of the Union, our president said that Congress must pass a bill that will allow our government - your government - to spy on your phone and computer records. He said that such a bill will protect us from those out to do us harm - in fact - they will destroy us without giving up our privacy. He also said he will veto a bill that doesn't include protection from litigation against the telecom industry.

For if you are to buy the premise that such spying is required, it appears our collective death is not worth more than the protection of power from litigation.

If you buy the premise - and as Benjamin Franklin said: "Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither."

Yet this is our government today.

There is a saying that I firmly believe and will share with you today: "A true patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government."

I am running for Congress because I believe we can make government work - for all of us. There are those who say you should pull yourself up by you own bootstraps. I believe you should at least have the boots. There are others who say we have defeated racism and prejudice. I recognize these are alive and well, and how quickly we can repeat the sins of the past: interning Latinos, Muslims, or any other group.

I am running for Congress because I believe I can represent the interests and the diversity of this district and this nation.

I try to be a man whose conduct proceeds from good will. I feel I have an acute sense of propriety. I try to speak with frankness, yet with sincerity and sympathy. My deed will follow my word. I try to live this way - and I will represent you this way.

I am asking that you support me, Jason Lee Jones. I ask that you vote for me. I feel the ideals of my candidacy are worthy of respect and support. I offer you a choice - and I ask that you make it.

Thank you for taking some time to listen to me today.

Speech Date: 02/01/2008

Representative Tom Lantos has announced that he will not be seeking another term. I would like to wish him well and hope that he recovers from the cancer with which he has been diagnosed. However, in an effort to provide California's 12th District a broad choice of potential Representatives, I have decided to join the campaign for this open seat in Congress. Once I get all of the paperwork in order and establish a campaign structure in accordance with state and federal guidelines, I will officially launch my campaign and this website. Please check back soon!

Respectfully,

Jason Lee Jones

Comment Date: 01/10/2008