ABOUT JASON KANDER  
ATTORNEY - SOLDIER - EDUCATOR - ACTIVIST

Campaign Video - 2007

A fifth generation Kansas Citian, Jason Kander learned early in life about his family's ethic of community service. The Kanders shared their home with several boys in need and Jason came to call these other boys his brothers. Today, they are among his closest friends and serve as a reminder that helping others is its own reward.

After graduating with his brothers from Bishop Miege High School, Jason headed to college and law school in Washington, DC. He graduated with honors from American University, where he majored in political science. He married his high school sweetheart, Diana, and together they graduated from Georgetown Law School, returning home to Kansas City the very next day.

A former Political Science Instructor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Jason has debated politics and foreign affairs on local and national radio with some of America's most notable pundits. He has advised Members of Congress regarding foreign policy and has volunteered for countless Democratic candidates in Missouri.

After the 2004 elections, Jason and Diana founded Heartland Democrats of America, an organization that promotes progressive values in rural and suburban Missouri.

He later became a Senior Advisor and Missouri State Captain for Votevets.org, the nation's largest political organization of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Votevets.org, chaired by General Wesley Clark (Ret.), named Jason a national "emerging leader" in 2008.

Though he opposed the war in Iraq, Jason enlisted in the Army Reserve after 9/11and volunteered for duty in Afghanistan.

A decorated veteran, Jason served in an infantry unit before receiving his commission as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2006,he left his home and his legal practice to deploy to Afghanistan, where he conducted classified intelligence investigations regarding groups and individuals suspected of espionage, narcotics trafficking, corruption, and facilitating Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He also commanded several convoy operations.

As the Political-Military Intelligence Officer for U.S. Forces, he became an expert regarding all political and military threats to Afghan democracy. In an unclassified evaluation, the U.S. Director of Intelligence in Afghanistan wrote the following about Jason's tour of duty:

"Second Lieutenant (2LT) Kander is an outstanding leader and a superb intelligence officer … his hard work directly resulted in arresting enemies and saving lives … leading by example, he volunteered as a shooter on several convoys, one of the only officers to volunteer for force protection duty … he improved intelligence support to information operations by joining a psyop special operations team on a four day mission … his contributions will have a lasting and positive effect [in Afghanistan] for many years … track this officer's career closely; he is one of the best."

After he returned from Afghanistan in 2007, Jason began to think seriously about the human consequences of policies implemented for political reasons and the examples he witnessed overseas. Concluding that this same "politics first" mentality was to blame for Missouri's healthcare, education, and environmental challenges, he finalized his decision to run for State Representative.

Taking a grassroots approach to the campaign, Jason personally canvassed the 44th District on foot three times. Just 26 years old when the campaign began, he quickly became known for hard work and a fresh, personal approach to both policy and politics, emphasizing the need for political courage and honest leadership.

On August 5th, 2008, Jason prevailed in a hotly contested Democratic primary against two outstanding opponents. The Republican candidate withdrew early from the race, ensuring Jason the honor of representing 35,000 Kansas Citians in the Missouri General Assembly.

Today, Representative Kander is in his first term and sits on the Budget Committee, the Joint Committee on Life Sciences, and the Homeland Security Committee. He is also the Communications Chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

In addition to his legislative duties, Jason practices law with the Barnes Law Firm in Kansas City, concentrating in civil justice claims. He has pro bono experience representing victims of domestic violence.

He remains in the Army National Guard, having risen to the rank of Captain, and serves as an Instructor one weekend per month at Fort Leonard Wood, where he prepares new Army officers for leadership in combat.

Though Jason's family has been in Kansas City for over a century, Diana Kander came to Kansas City in 1990 as a refugee from the Soviet Union. An attorney, business executive, and community activist, she has been described by Ingram's Magazine as the "model of enterpreneuerialism in Kansas City."

The Kanders live in Waldo and attend New Reform Temple. Their hobbies include reading, exercising, and spending time with their two pampered dogs, Shelby and Winston.