You may have a question with an answer not represented here.   Contact me by e-mail so I can respond to you directly.  My e-mail address is Jason@VoteJasonHowell.com

Taxes, deficits, traffic, regulation, (lack of) energy policy, immigration policy all affect our business and personal lives.  If the economy of the United States of America is destroyed, almost nothing else we do individually will matter.

We can do better.  Our federal government can be the change we want to see in our country.  Most of our challenges as a country began with this generation:  the past 30 or 40 years.  These challenges became clearly apparent in the past 10 years.  21st century problems need 21st century solutions.  That’s the choice in this election: a 21 year incumbent v.s. 21st century solutions.

Gerrymandering ensures that individual parties and individual politicians maintain their power.  Another Democrat or Republican can do little to influence the trajectory of our elections or even our country.  Sending an Independent to the Congress will send a message to the career politicians:  “We the people..” are still in charge.

During the Summer of 2011 I became disgusted watching the Congress debate and create the debt crisis.  As a former Accountant, I was disappointed by our U.S. debt downgrade.  That downgrade means higher interest paid on our National debt, a weaker dollar and higher gas and food prices.  It also means for the first time in 236 years of history, that the strength of the United States of America is being questioned.   Some of us will need to step out, step forward and step up to the task of fighting to maintain our leadership role in the world.  Last year I made the decision to be one of those people.  Please join me by voting Independent on November 6, 2012.

Candidate Howell (3rd from the left) and supporters.

ARLINGTON, VA, April 27th, 2012 – Independent U.S Congressional candidate Jason Howell will participate in Crystal City’s final “5K Friday” at 6:30 pm tonight.  Candidate Howell has run in two out of the last three races along with friends and fellow supporters who wore the campaign’s “Running for Congress” T-shirts.

Crystal City is located in the heart of Virginia’s 8th Congressional District and has been represented by incumbent  Jim Moran since 1991.  “The Crystal City 5K Fridays” tradition began just three years ago in 2009 and is sponsored by Pacers Events and the Crystal City BID.  Last week’s race attracted 1,384 runners due in large part to the event’s open registration with first-time runners signing up minutes before the race start.  “This race highlights the new energy in Virginia’s 8th District.  The active role we take in our fitness, careers and other areas of our lives is now being carried over to our politics,” commented Candidate Howell.

This Friday completes four straight weeks of the Crystal City 5Ks.  Candidate Howell shared that the three races he ran were a part of many ways his campaign has engaged voters personally.  Asked what he has planned for May, Candidate Howell plainly remarked, “More listening and more engaging.  Voters finally have a viable choice this election cycle and now it’s their turn to be heard.”

ABOUT JASON HOWELL

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible and socially reasonable elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District covers all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean. For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com

ABOUT CRYSTAL CITY BID

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN.  For more, see http://www.crystalcity.org/

U.S. House of Representatives Candidate Jason J. Howell

Everything you’ve heard about campaigns is correct:  they are tough, they bring out the best in people and success takes you applying everything you’ve learned in life.

By far the most frequently asked question I get has nothing to do with policy, but rather, just how the campaign is going.  Many of my friends, family, colleagues and new supporters are literally running this race with me.  We all want to win.  We all want to send a message to the United States Congress by sending an Independent to represent us.  We all have a role to play in this campaign; some of us are activists, some are campaign volunteers, some of us are personal supporters and one of us is the candidate.   That’s the role I signed up for and I am very happy I did.

SO HOW IS THE CAMPAIGN GOING?

The campaign is going great!  There has been drama but I suppose that’s also part of the “everything you’ve heard about campaigns” being correct.  This was a redistricting year meaning it’s the first election after the once every 10 years census.  After each census the political lines that draw in the cities, counties and neighborhoods of Congressional Districts change.  Dramatically this campaign year, the new lines weren’t finalized until just before April.  Yup, just a few weeks ago.

This past February 8th, the U.S. District Court made a decision that took away the requirement which allowed only residents of the Congressional District to be petition “Circulators.”  What this means now is that any Virginia resident who is 18 years old and has not committed a felony can collect signatures on our campaign’s behalf.  Would you like to help our campaign collect signatures?  Click this sentence for the instructions and the new form.

Mr. Shuttleworth (on step) with supporters.

Collecting signatures to get on the ballot has been interesting for one of my potential opponents.  All candidates for U.S. Congress in Virginia need to collect 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot.  Independent campaigns like ours have until June 12th to submit signatures.  Candidates who are running as Democrats or Republicans had to submit their signatures by March 29th.  This week, one of our opponents had to file a lawsuit to get on the ballot!  He eventually did get on the ballot but held a press conference on the steps of Alexandria’s City Hall to describe his experience.  Wow!   I came by to shake his hand, out of respect for his right to get on the ballot.   Click the picture to the right for a link to the article.

SOME OF THE BEST PARTS

The best parts about campaigning so far have been the people I’ve met and listening to the causes they support.  As soon as you start campaigning – in case there was any doubt – you learn quickly that the campaign is about something much bigger than yourself.  I told my supporters early on that candidates come and go but our cause to right our country’s “ship,” is an ongoing civic duty.  Most of the people I meet share some of their greatest concerns:  the U.S. debt, the bitterness in Washington and the seeming inability for politicians to get anything done.  Generally people are tired of the persistent, party politics and they are happy to meet an Independent candidate.  These same people also share with me the things that are most important to them.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church 1601 S.13th Road Arlington VA 22204

Sharing an important experience with people who truly care about others is inspiring.  On Good Friday  I was invited to visit Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Arlington which hosted congregations and church members from over 5 other local churches.  This is an annual tradition that fills the sanctuary beginning at high noon.  The room was filled not only with people, song, but most certainly the spirit of the Easter season.  It was a wonderful event.

Every time my lovely wife Jennifer and I host a campaign meeting, we leave the event more motivated and more resolute about the cause to replace 21 years of incumbency with 21st century, innovative thinking.  Our volunteers are made up of former co-workers, business networking colleagues, Toastmaster Club members, ALPFA members and members of the community who are making change happen in their own way and want to see politics reflect their interests.

Just yesterday, Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend an open house at Alternative House in Vienna.   Most people don’t consider Fairfax County to be a place where children need to escape poverty or violence.  Fairfax County is where I attended one of the finest high schools in the country and also George Mason University:  US News and World Reports 2nd best Up-and-Coming University.  Yet even in Fairfax County there are children who need temporary assistance and the Alternative House provides it in many ways.  One of my good friends and campaign supporters invited me to an open house where I was introduced to programs that help teens “break the cycle of poverty and violence.”  As the Executive Director with 15 years of service put it, “We try to make life a little more fair [for the teens].”  The Alternative House is the only shelter for kids in Northern Virginia, yet they only have 8 beds.  Running for office reinforces the importance of tackling challenges sometimes silently fought by people all around us; even in Fairfax County.  There are so many important things that people are working on and government can help to facilitate their success.  It’s a reminder to partisan folks that politics is serious and compassion is necessary.

WHAT ARE WE UP TO NEXT?

We are going to keep working to introduce my candidacy to those who are looking for an alternative to Democrats and Republicans.  I know that what’s I am  looking for and last year’s debt crisis proved that it’s time for our generation to step forward.  There are petitions to be signed, neighbors to engage and media to be earned.  We will do what we have to do so that over the next few months we earn the vote of confidence from people throughout the 8th Congressional District of Virginia.  Would you like to follow our campaign?   You can keep up with us on our SCHEDULE PAGE.  We’ll keep that page updated with where we’re going and where you can find me in particular.

My thanks to all of you who continue to ask about the campaign and lend your support.  And my dear wife Jennifer, thank you of course for everything, every day.

ABOUT JASON HOWELL

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible, socially reasonable and domestically focused elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District is proposed to cover all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean. For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com

Candidate Jason Howell (middle), with Wife Jennifer and friend Brian Kelly

ARLINGTON, VA, April 6th, 2012 – U.S Congressional candidate for Virginia Jason Howell, joined in on the Spring tradition of Crystal City’s “5K Fridays” this past weekend.  1,252 runners took part in a tradition begun in 2009 and sponsored by Pacers Events and the Crystal City BID.    Literally “running” for Congress, candidate Howell participated in his first professionally timed event.  Said Howell, “This was so much fun.  We had a bunch of supporters out today; some running, and some doing some canvassing.  I can’t wait to run again next Friday!”

In fact, the Crystal City 5Ks will be hosted for each of the remaining Fridays in April (the 13th, 20th and 27th).   The races are open registration meaning participants can “sign up” as late as race day.  The races begin at 6:30 p.m and are $20 for each race.  All races start and end at 2121 Crystal Drive between 20th and 23rd streets in Arlington.  Candidate Howell was asked whether he was trying to send a political message about fitness through his participation and answered, “A commitment to physical fitness is an important part of how we manage our health as citizens.  We can’t legislate exercise but as leaders we have an excellent opportunity to be healthy role models.”

Two supporters ran with Howell and approximately seven supporters – including wife Jennifer Taylor Howell – wore campaign T-shirts and canvassed the crowd.  The Pacers Events staff and volunteers along with Arlington Police were able to take down the encumbrances of the event fairly quickly.  Northbound and Southbound lanes of Potomac Avenue were cleared soon after 7:30 pm along with Northbound lanes of Crystal Drive.

ABOUT JASON HOWELL

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible, socially reasonable and domestically focused elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District is proposed to cover all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean. For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com

ABOUT CRYSTAL CITY BID

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN.  For more, see http://www.crystalcity.org/

“Some of this was difficult to listen to.  We have conflicting priorities to both keep our border closed to those who try to cross it illegally and make it safe for those who do,” said candidate Howell.  “What I have learned is that there are things we can do to accomplish our dual mission, without sacrificing our status as the leader of human rights in the world.”

Esmeralda Flores is an attorney and human rights advocate at the Migrant Defense Coalition in Tijuana, Baja California.  The Coalition is part of the Iniciativa Frontera Norte de Mexico which promotes human rights on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border.  Ms. Flores outlined many recommendations assumed to be included in their upcoming report:

• Clarify the regulations and standards set by the Department of Homeland Security for federal and private detention centers
• Try to avoid transferring migrants from one detention center to another
• Create a stronger mechanism for migrant complaints
• Provide access to medical care in contrast to the “man down” policy
• Return belongings to deportees more consistently
• Notify families consistently when people are deported
• Respect local agreements and international standards

“Border security is a grave challenge when you are the United States of America.  Our border patrol officers need help, guidance and a stronger commitment from Mexico to work on repatriating migrants found along the border,” added candidate Howell.

Pedro Uriel Gonzalez, a program coordinator for YMCA Mexico furthered the discussion by highlighting the most vulnerable group on the border:  children.  “Mexico’s justice system has no identification requirement for minors.  They are at risk as soon as they leave home,” said Mr. Gonzalez.  Also present was Victoria Kline, affiliated with the No More Deaths organization who’s mission is to end death and suffering on the U.S.-Mexico border.

This meeting was conducted almost entirely in Spanish aided by two Spanish-English translators.  Participants were offered language and voice translation receivers.

All present for this meeting were passionate advocates for a group of people who previously have had no voice whatsoever.

ABOUT JASON HOWELL

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible, socially reasonable and domestically focused elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District is proposed to cover all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean. For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com

Friends outside of Murphy's in Old Town Alexandria

ARLINGTON, VA, March 17th, 2012 – St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just for leprechauns!   Jason Howell, Independent candidate for U.S. Congress utilized the holiday to visit revelers all over Virginia’s 8th congressional district. Visits included stops at Ireland’s Four Provinces in Falls Church, Murphy’s in Old Town Alexandria, CarPool in Ballston (Arlington) and multiple stops along Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon (Arlington).  Asked why he chose to campaign on St. Patrick’s Day, Jason Howell replied, “The campaign to elect one Independent to the U.S. House of Representatives happens every day. Some days are solemn and quiet and reflect the seriousness of our cause.  Some days are filled with camaraderie and  community representing the love and joy associated with being American…and on one day a year, Irish!”

The “campaign bar crawl,” as it has been called by Howell’s supporters and observers, began in earnest at 9:30 a.m. in Falls Church at Ireland’s Four Provinces.  It was a busy day for the restaurant and pub which hosted both indoor and outdoor seating as early as 8 a.m.   After breakfast and a short wait, Howell’s group of campaigners drew the attention of busy owner Colm Dillon who brought a few of them on stage for a photo.   By noon the Howell campaign revelers were already inside the historical Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub where the volume of celebration was already exceeding 9 p.m. levels.  Multiple pub patrons engaged candidate Howell and his colleagues in political conversation but many chose to focus instead on St. Patrick’s special day of feasting.

By evening the campaign had moved to North Arlington and included one last official stop at CarPool in Ballston.  This was a final opportunity for the candidate to fuel up and engage constituents in lucid conversation.  Many CarPool patrons were up for something different to talk about in contrast to a day’s worth of green beer and basketball madness.  At one instance, as many as six constituents surrounded candidate Howell firing off serious questions on education, birth control and tax policy.  After one such barrage, a constituent walked up to candidate Howell to share, “You earned six votes tonight.  Just lay off some of the buzz words.”

“Buzz” perhaps being the operative word for this special day.

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible, socially reasonable and domestically focused elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District is proposed to cover all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean. For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com

"Friends of Jason Howell" Copyright 2012

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, March 12th, 2012 -  Taking advantage of unseasonably warm Winter weather, Jason Howell, Independent congressional candidate of Virginia, gathered friends and family and accumulated a record number of signatures in the Westover neighborhood.

Despite the challenges associated with congressional redistricting, political candidates are having to carry their campaigns forward. Jason Howell, resident of the Ballston neighborhood, has been signing up neighbors since early January but this past Sunday was a record.  Said, candidate Howell:

“We met so many encouraging neighbors who welcomed an Independent running for Congress.  The response in the historic Westover neighborhood was overwhelming and we hit a record number of signatures for our campaign.”

Independent candidates for the House of Representatives in Virginia are required to accumulate one thousand signatures of eligible voters in their congressional district.  Jason Howell is competing against twenty-one year incumbent James P. Moran and a yet undecided Republican candidate.  It is not certain whether a Green Party candidate will compete during this campaign cycle.

“My neighbors in Virginia’s 8th congressional district will have a clear choice: partisan politics or progress.  I have made my choice and with each signature, my neighbors are carving their initials into the wall of history.” ~ Jason Howell

Petitions to appear on Virginia’s ballot are currently due in three months on June 12th.

Jason Howell is an Independent candidate for Congress.  He has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, worked in private industry for 20 years and has spent 0 years as a politician.  He is running to represent Virginia’s 8th Congressional district as a fiscally responsible, socially reasonable and domestically focused elected official.  Virginia’s 8th District is proposed to cover all of Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Lorton and parts of Mclean.  For more, see www.VoteJasonHowell.com