Jason Blazakis Announces Campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District

Blazakis, who was recently sanctioned by Vladimir Putin, has spent his career fighting for democracy and protecting America’s national security

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — Today, Jason Blazakis, born and raised in New Jersey, who has spent his career as a national security official fighting for democracy, announced his campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th congressional district. Blazakis, who was recently sanctioned by Vladimir Putin for his work speaking out against extremism abroad, is running to take on anti-democratic MAGA extremists here at home.

New Jersey’s 7th congressional district narrowly flipped Republican in 2022 by less than three percentage points. The district is considered one of the most competitive districts in the country and Cook Political Report ranks it as a Tossup. It is one of just 18 congressional districts that were won by President Biden in 2020, and is currently held by a Republican.

“I spent the last twenty years fighting terrorism, corruption, and the illegal drug trade overseas. Both home and abroad, I’ve seen the threats anti-democratic extremists pose to our democracy and am running for Congress to stop them,” said Jason Blazakis.

“Whether it’s denying free and fair elections, taking away a woman’s right to choose, or making New Jersey more expensive to live in, the MAGA extremist agenda isn’t the Jersey agenda.

“Tom Kean is a rubber stamp for MAGA extremism. On reproductive rights, on the cost of living, and on protecting democracy, Kean gives in to extremists and Jersey pays the price.

“I grew up right here in NJ-07, I went to public school, paid my way through college and spent my career protecting Americans. I know this community and in Congress, I’ll stand up for our families, ensuring a safer, more affordable Jersey for all.”

About Jason Blazakis

Jason Blazakis grew up in Harmony Township, right on Route 519, and attended Belvidere High School. His dad worked at the New Jersey Army National Guard throughout Jason’s childhood, instilling the values of hard work and public service in him. Jason started working at a young age picking peaches and strawberries on a local farm. He put himself through college with the help of Pell Grants and student loans, aiming for a career in government service.

After college, Jason attended graduate school while working as an aide in Congress, helping draft bills like the Holocaust Awareness Act. His experience of being in both New York City and Washington, DC on 9/11, sitting on an Amtrak train as the attacks unfolded, led him to a career in national security. In 2004, Jason joined the State Department. He spent six months in Afghanistan and later traveled frequently to the country, where he headed the U.S. Embassy’s narcotics affairs section that fought the Taliban’s heroin operations. He spent a decade with the State Department, primarily working in counterterrorism.

Currently, Jason is a Professor of Practice, and teaches the next generation of policymakers to counter violent extremism and mis- and disinformation. Notably, he was recently sanctioned by Vladimir Putin for speaking out against the illegal war against Ukraine.

Throughout his career, Jason has never forgotten his days picking fruit on the farm. He knows firsthand that the dignity of hard work and the financial security it brings is just as critical to our safety as national security. He has always fought to keep Americans safe and will keep up the fight for us in Congress. He currently lives in Lambertville with his partner, Lisa.