Home Election 2014 Jason Ramey Set to Challenge Mark DeSaulnier for Congressional Seat

Jason Ramey Set to Challenge Mark DeSaulnier for Congressional Seat

by ECT

jason ramey

As many well-known democrats have decided not to run against State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier for the 11th Congressional District seat held by retiring Rep. George Miller, there is one Democrat who is not backing down and has announced he is challenging DeSaulnier for the position.

Jason Ramey, 33, from Concord who works at an oil refinery, announced his candidacy last week in hopes of representing the 11th Congressional District. He considers himself a “right-leaning democrat” who is ready to bring change in Washington.

His goals include improving education, rework the budget system to ensure everyone pays there fair share before further taxes are increased, and find ways to reduce spending on the prison systems.

He decided to run because he was tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching everyone complain but no one does anything, so he decided to run. The decision to run came on the day Congressman Miller announced his retirement.

“It seemed like an every two-year conversation with me about running for office,” explained Ramey. “My wife came up to me and asked me if I could run for any public office what would it be. I replied Congress because I want to make a difference on a national level and she showed me the newspaper that he was retiring so I couldn’t get a bigger sign than that.”

He admits he never has run for office before nor has he worked on a campaign, but he believes his passion for doing the right thing can win over voters.

With Sen. Mark DeSaulnier having nearly every major endorsement one can have in running for an elected position, he realizes its an uphill battle with endorsements, fundraising, and volunteers.

Ramey calls it “David vs. Goliath” for sure when it comes to endorsements and money but was quick to point out the approval ratings of our public officials being at an all-time low and Congress is at just 9% so it doesn’t make sense to keep voting the same people back into office.

“It’s Scary, its David vs. Goliath; he has all the major endorsements, corporations working with him. I am the nobody and the new guy to fight Goliath. I think my passion is much more than he is and I think what I want to change is a lot greater than his. I think when it gets to the people; it will be a good fight,” said Ramey.

At this time, Ramey is still building up his campaign team and explained he is still trying to raise money to get on the ballot or collect 3,000 signature endorsements. His campaign is 100 percent grassroots with his family and friends helping.  He is also looking for help and volunteers.

He admits there have been a few naysayers and has seen some negative comments come his way on the internet but he vows to run a good campaign and put up a good fight.

The best advice he said he has received in this process came from family.

“My wife and mother said to always remember who you are and do not fall into the trap like everyone else,” said Ramey.

For more information on Jason Ramey, visit www.jasonrameyforcongress.com or email [email protected]

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9 comments

JimSimmons42 Jan 29, 2014 - 6:52 am

I give this kid credit for running, but if he has never ran for any office or worked on a campaign, I think the learning curve is to great. He might want to try for city council first before making the jump to Congress.

Bev Jan 29, 2014 - 7:59 am

The fact that he thinks he can just pick his first campaign to run for congress tells me is SO not ready for congress.

It isn’t about just wanting to make things better it is about having the PROVEN ABILITY to do that. That is why politicians work their way up most often. It is about learning about the issues (all sides), understanding the players, developing the negotiation and fighting skills that it takes to make things happen, and having the connections and relationships necessary to take your causes to the top of the pile.

If he really wants to make a difference do it locally! Prove yourself. Don’t try to take shortcuts.

deborah bordeau Jan 29, 2014 - 8:52 am

I say good for Jason. I am so sick of seasoned, “do-nothing” politicians thinking they are entitled to positions. Our country needs new voices, new faces, and new ideas. Experience is not necessarily synonymous with intelligence and worth.

ECVsBrother Jan 29, 2014 - 6:47 pm

I’m with you Deborah. We need new people in government. These same old ones are not working for the people anymore like they use to. We are so much worse off than ten years ago. Go get the seat Jason.

Jason Ramey Jan 30, 2014 - 7:27 pm

Thank you all for taking the time to read this article and respond to it. This is my first campaign and run for office. I have to agree with Ms. Bordeau in that I am sick and tired of the same old politician that I decided to do it myself. Now I might not be the strongest candidate, but I sure as heck will fight with all my being to bring change to Congress and represent you well. Please visit my website and let me know if there is anything more I can tell you.

thank you again for your time.
-Jason

Sheldon Feb 1, 2014 - 3:15 pm

Glad there is some competition, however history will show the fact that Jason is jumping in without any prior experience will play out as a loss. There are countless examples and you aren’t the first and wont be the last-therefore I wouldn’t waste too much time on this Jason. Put your efforts into running for a local seat so that you can learn some of the many reasons government operates in the way that it does. Our governing forefathers were much smarter than which you might give them credit for. Much of it makes sense once educated. Simply saying things need to change due to (no offense) but political ignorance is a recipe for your own disaster.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a current fan of Mark DeSaulnier, but at this point he is a lock. People may bitch and moan, but when it comes right down to it they will chose experience over someone with a dream. Think of it this way, the devil they know is a safer bet than the devil they don’t know.

If you want to make a statement, there are much better ways to focus your energy. Being a martyr or self sacrificing lamb isn’t one of them. You will only trip yourself up for any future opportunities which you are likely to regret. Name ID associated with a loss doesn’t bode well anywhere. A big loss only makes things worse.

Jason would be wise to consider this more than just an average comment or simply an educated guess. I know what I am talking about and on election day (unfortunately) he will too.

Jason Ramey Feb 1, 2014 - 8:07 pm

Mr. Sheldon
I appreciate your advice. Thank you. I completely understand what I have gotten into and understand the future repercussions all too well. I can’t however, stand by and let another career politician who spouts the same generic rhetoric come through unopposed. I know that being the underdog on a congressional campaign will be one of the hardest feats undertaken in my life and that I am fighting an uphill battle.
A lot of people will side with your statement of “the devil they know is a safer bet then the devil they don’t know”. But there will be many who look at our current 10% approval rating and take the 90% odds that I can do better. I may only have a dream at this point, but it’s a dream on a grand scale to help people, genuinely help. Not just to further my career in politics like some others.
You see, I don’t see my lack of political experience as a negative side. I see it as a chance to improve this nation. Politicians get complacent, they forget why they started. I will be a fresh set of eyes in a world of blind men. Mr.Desaulnier may have 20+ years on me. But he is set to retire not long after he takes office. I can stay there for years like Mr. Miller and build ties and relationships. Work on long overdue bills and stay consistent. We don’t need new people there every few years.
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to write me and to warn me of the slippery slope ahead of me. But my eyes are open and I am ready to be a serious contender in this ring of giants. I believe there are a lot more people out there who will side with me on this. It is said ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’. I have a lot of friends.

-Jason Ramey

Deborah Bordeau Feb 2, 2014 - 6:25 am

Jason – You made a very good point about DeSaulnier – He’s not in it for the long run. Is he running to end his career on a personal “high note”? Will his retirement package be sweeter? We all know the answer to that. There was a recent editorial about our Senator. When asked why he wants to be a US Congressman his response mentioned NOTHING about what he could do for the citizens of Contra Costa County. His reasons are strictly personal – all about him. Those who endorse him are not necessarily DeSaulnier fans. Some just want him out of CA politics. Some want his current position. Others don’t want to see him as CA Senate Pro Tem (replacing Steinberg). DeSaulnier will probably go to congress, sit patiently and wait to retire. He will be just as ineffective there as he has been here. I say make him work for it Jason. Give him a run for his money. I’m on your team!

Jan joy Mar 3, 2014 - 4:11 pm

New faces and ideas are what is needed. I know Jason is the right man for the job! Sick of those who run for their own interests. Go get them Jason!

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