Jason Anderson (Kansas)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jason Anderson

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1995

Graduate

University of California, Berkeley, 2004

Personal

Birthplace

Kansas City, Mo.

Profession

Technology Executive

Contact

Campaign website

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Jason Anderson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kansas State Senate to represent District 35. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Anderson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jason Anderson was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1995 and a graduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2004. His career experience includes working as a technology executive. He has been affiliated with Tau Beta Pi.

Elections

2024

See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Kansas State Senate District 35

TJ Rose defeated Jason Anderson in the general election for Kansas State Senate District 35 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		TJ Rose (R)	52.8	23,088
		Jason Anderson (D)	47.2	20,664

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,752
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 35

Jason Anderson advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 35 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Anderson	100.0	3,161

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,161
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 35

TJ Rose advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 35 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		TJ Rose	100.0	5,073

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,073
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Anderson received the following endorsements.

• Kansas AFL-CIO
• Kansas NEA
• Stand Up Blue Valley

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jason Anderson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Anderson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Kansas City and grew up in Independence, Missouri, as the oldest of three boys. As class valedictorian, I went on to graduate with high distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts where I majored in computer science. Since then, my career has touched many industries including industrial manufacturing, military/aerospace software, interactive entertainment, and medical information and education. Along the way, I earned an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley and started and sold businesses in data and research. Since returning to Kansas, I've been an active advocate for K-12 public education. I currently serve on the Blue Valley School District finance and operations advisory committee and was a founding member of Freedom to Learn, a Kansas organization focused on school board stewardship.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe quality public education is the cornerstone of any thriving community, and it's through our schools that we are able to sustain prosperity for generations.
• All residents of Kansas deserve access to affordable healthcare, which is why we must expand Medicaid coverage.
• Inflation in recent years has created too large of a burden on our property taxes, particularly for long-term residents. This is true in urban counties, and in rural counties. We can find solutions to provide direct relief.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education, Medicaid expansion, Tax policy, Reproductive freedom, Job creation

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

In my experience, the most effective leaders are those who are interested in listening to diverse perspectives and finding common ground. Democracy is about progress, never reaching perfection; our elected officials should hold this sense of pragmatic idealism at heart.

The essence of effective leadership, particularly in public office, lies in the ability to listen actively and empathetically to diverse perspectives. An elected official must prioritize understanding the many voices within their community, embracing diversity as a source of strength rather than division. This approach is crucial in identifying shared values and finding common ground, even amidst seemingly insurmountable differences.

Moreover, I believe in the principle of pragmatic idealism. Democracy is an ongoing journey toward a more perfect union, a process of continual improvement. Our elected officials should embody this dynamic, adopting a forward-looking mindset that balances visionary goals with practical realities. They should be driven not just by the desire to advance their own ideals but by a commitment to serve the common good, adapting and evolving as the needs of their constituents and society change.

Ultimately, the most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, transparency, and accountability. These principles ensure that leaders remain true to their word, open in their actions, and answerable to the people they serve. Together, these qualities foster trust, encourage civic engagement, and build a stronger, more resilient democracy.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Others would describe me as thoughtful, rational, analytical, and sincere.

Thoughtfulness ensures I consider the long-term impact of decisions. A rational approach keeps me grounded in facts, essential for navigating complex policy landscapes. My analytical ability allows me to dissect issues and forecast the outcomes of solutions, ensuring policies are both practical and beneficial. Sincerity, the cornerstone of trust, ensures open and honest communication, fostering a genuine connection with constituents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Our oath is to the Constitution of the state of Kansas. The Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights gives all political power to the people of Kansas. And so, our duty is to engage with and represent the interests of our constituents.

State Senators have a responsibility to manage the financial affairs of the state for maximum benefit of all. We have a duty to negotiate with others in good faith. We have a responsibility to educate our communities about the work that we do, so that we may ourselves learn what needs to be done.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the tragic explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 -- I would have been 12 years old at the time, in middle school.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a computer programmer, working with one of my high school teachers to make a game for 9th and 10th graders to teach geometry principles. I had been programming for many years already as a hobby, but that was the first moment I realized there were larger opportunities. That project lasted for about 6 months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson. It's a visionary exploration of a future where technology deeply intertwines with every aspect of society. I've always enjoyed Neal Stephenson's writing style; this novel is intricate and complex, delving into the implications of rapid technological advancements on society, governance, and individual freedom.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I listen to a LOT of music, so no single track gets stuck for very long. I've been looping Connor Price for a bit though, and Portugal. The Man.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Even when the governor and state legislature are from the same party, the shared mission remains to find common ground and to pursue progress. Sometimes, this is collaborative; sometimes, it is conflicted. But ideally, the two parties are able to listen to and prioritize the needs of the state.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The Kansas public education funding formula expires during the next Senate term, and will be a major topic of debate that impacts every school and community for the decade to come. It is a critically important topic that shapes not only our schools but also the rest of the state budget.

Economic diversification and job creation is also key to the long-term prosperity of our state. As the global workplace evolves, Kansas must provide opportunities beyond traditional sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. Attracting and retaining emerging industries, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting small businesses will be essential for job creation and economic resilience.

Managing water resources sustainably and addressing environmental challenges, including climate change impacts on agriculture, will be an increasingly difficult issue.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

One challenge unique to the state legislator is there will always be people and organizations that know more about a subject than the legislature. Where people can be specialists, the legislature most respond to all challenges. A truly effective legislator, then, must first be good at learning and making decisions without the benefit of deep expertise. That sort of wisdom develops from a lifetime of being challenged and learning, while past political experience only helps with the particular skills of working within the legislative process.

Having experience in government or politics can be helpful for state legislators, but it's not the only thing that matters. Being a good legislator means dealing with many different issues and making complex decisions. The job requires the ability to learn quickly and make smart choices, even when you're not an expert in every topic.

People from different backgrounds can be great legislators because they bring new ideas and ways of solving problems. Whether someone has worked in business, education, healthcare, or community service, they can offer valuable insights.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

I believe all jobs benefit from building relationships with your peers. For state legislators, it's absolutely critical. Designing and negotiating proposed legislation takes a consensus of the legislature if you want it to actually become law and have an impact in the world.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I have no plans or intention of running for a different office.

What committees interest you?

The Senate committees on Education, Commerce, Financial Institutions and Insurance, and Public Health and Welfare are all areas where I feel confident I would be able to quickly apply my personal expertise to the benefit of Kansans. The Joint Committee on Information Technology is also very relevant, and an opportunity to put my 30 years of work experience in the tech industry to use.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that transparency builds trust. Transparency alone can't provide accountability, as you also need systems and and a commitment to use them, but it's important for the work of the public good to be done in the light.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Jason Anderson campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Kansas State Senate District 35	Lost general	$124,867	$0
Grand total			$124,867	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

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Candidate

Kansas State Senate District 35

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Kansas State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Ty Masterson

Majority Leader:Chase Blasi

Minority Leader:Dinah Sykes

Senators

District 1

Craig Bowser (R)

District 2

Marci Francisco (D)

District 3

Rick Kloos (R)

District 4

David Haley (D)

District 5

Jeff Klemp (R)

District 6

Pat Pettey (D)

District 7

Ethan Corson (D)

District 8

Cindy Holscher (D)

District 9

Beverly Gossage (R)

District 10

Mike Thompson (R)

District 11

Kellie Warren (R)

District 12

Caryn Tyson (R)

District 13

Tim Shallenburger (R)

District 14

Michael Fagg (R)

District 15

Virgil Peck (R)

District 16

Ty Masterson (R)

District 17

Mike Argabright (R)

District 18

Kenny Titus (R)

District 19

Patrick Schmidt (D)

District 20

Brenda Dietrich (R)

District 21

Dinah Sykes (D)

District 22

Brad Starnes (R)

District 23

Adam Thomas (R)

District 24

Scott Hill (R)

District 25

Mary Ware (D)

District 26

Chase Blasi (R)

District 27

Joe Claeys (R)

District 28

Mike Petersen (R)

District 29

Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D)

District 30

Renee Erickson (R)

District 31

Stephen Owens (R)

District 32

Larry Alley (R)

District 33

Tory Blew (R)

District 34

Michael Murphy (R)

District 35

TJ Rose (R)

District 36

Elaine Bowers (R)

District 37

Douglas Shane (R)

District 38

Ronald Ryckman (R)

District 39

Bill Clifford (R)

District 40

Rick Billinger (R)

Republican Party (31)

Democratic Party (9)